Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Socrates said, 'What do you want? The souls of thinking beings or mindless creatures? Of thinking beings. But what kind? Those with sound judgment, or those whose thinking is damaged and corrupted? Those with sound judgment. Then why don't you work for such souls? Because we already have them. So why do you fight and argue with each other?'

Meditations, Book 11, Section 32 Book 11 · 45 of 45
Human Nature Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Socrates said, 'What will you have? the souls of reasonable, or unreasonable creatures? Of reasonable. But what? Of those whose reason is sound and perfect? or of those whose reason is vitiated and corrupted? Of those whose reason is sound and perfect. Why then labour ye not for such? Because we have them already. What then do ye so strive and contend between you?'

Meditations, Book 11, Section 32 Book 11 · 45 of 45
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

As Epictetus said: 'No one can steal your free will.' He also taught us to find a clear method for judging things. We should carefully watch our thoughts to make sure they stay balanced and kind, and match the real worth of what we're looking at. We should avoid desperate wanting. We should only reject things that are completely up to us. The fight isn't about small, everyday matters. The real question is this: Will we go crazy like everyone else, or will philosophy help us stay wise and calm?

Meditations, Book 11, Section 31 Book 11 · 44 of 45
Freedom & Control Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

'Of the free will there is no thief or robber:' out of Epictetus; Whose is this also: that we should find a certain art and method of assenting; and that we should always observe with great care and heed the inclinations of our minds, that they may always be with their due restraint and reservation, always charitable, and according to the true worth of every present object. And as for earnest longing, that we should altogether avoid it: and to use averseness in those things only, that wholly depend of our own wills. It is not about ordinary petty matters, believe it, that all our strife and contention is, but whether, with the vulgar, we should be mad, or by the help of philosophy wise and sober, said he.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 31 Book 11 · 44 of 45
‹ Previous Next ›

Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

About · Support