Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

We can't say that when the mind disobeys, it's like fire or air rising toward their natural place. The mind does the opposite. When the mind moves toward injustice, lack of self-control, sorrow, or fear, it's separating from its nature. When the mind grieves over what divine providence has brought about, it abandons its proper place. The mind was meant for holiness and reverence. These come from humble acceptance of God and his providence in all things. They come from justice too. These are duties we owe as social beings. Without them, we can't live peacefully together. They are the foundation of all right action.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 18 Book 11 · 30 of 45
Knowing Yourself Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

For we cannot say of it when it is disobedient, as we say of the fire, or air, that it tends upwards towards its proper element, for then goes it the quite contrary way. For the motion of the mind to any injustice, or incontinency, or to sorrow, or to fear, is nothing else but a separation from nature. Also when the mind is grieved for anything that is happened by the divine providence, then doth it likewise forsake its own place. For it was ordained unto holiness and godliness, which specially consist in an humble submission to God and His providence in all things; as well as unto justice: these also being part of those duties, which as naturally sociable, we are bound unto; and without which we cannot happily converse one with another: yea and the very ground and fountain indeed of all just actions.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 18 Book 11 · 30 of 45
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Whatever fire or air exists in you naturally wants to rise upward. But it obeys the order of the universe and stays down here in your mixed body. Whatever earth or water is in you naturally wants to sink downward. Yet it goes against its nature to rise up and stand. Even the basic elements obey the universe. They stay patiently wherever they are placed, even when it goes against their nature, until they get the signal to separate and return to their origins. Isn't it terrible, then, that only your reasoning part disobeys and won't stay in its proper place? And this, even though nothing asked of it goes against its nature — only what is natural to it.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 18 Book 11 · 29 of 45
Freedom & Control Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

What portion soever, either of air or fire there be in thee, although by nature it tend upwards, submitting nevertheless to the ordinance of the universe, it abides here below in this mixed body. So whatsoever is in thee, either earthy, or humid, although by nature it tend downwards, yet is it against its nature both raised upwards, and standing, or consistent. So obedient are even the elements themselves to the universe, abiding patiently wheresoever (though against their nature) they are placed, until the sound as it were of their retreat, and separation. Is it not a grievous thing then, that thy reasonable part only should be disobedient, and should not endure to keep its place: yea though it be nothing enjoined that is contrary unto it, but that only which is according to its nature?

Meditations, Book 11, Section 18 Book 11 · 29 of 45
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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