Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

There are three things that make up who you are: your body, your life, and your mind. The first two belong to you only in the sense that you must care for them. But the third — your mind — is truly yours. So separate yourself from everything else. Don't dwell on what others do or say. Don't obsess over your past actions and words. Stop worrying about the future. Let go of anything that belongs to your body or your physical life that is beyond your control. Release yourself from whatever happens to you through ordinary human events and accidents. Keep your mind loose and free from all these outside entanglements.

Meditations, Book 12, Section 2 Book 12 · 4 of 41
Freedom & Control Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Three things there be in all, which thou doest consist of; thy body, thy life, and thy mind. Of these the two former, are so far forth thine, as that thou art bound to take care for them. But the third alone is that which is properly thine. If then thou shalt separate from thyself, that is from thy mind, whatsoever other men either do or say, or whatsoever thou thyself hast heretofore either done or said; and all troublesome thoughts concerning the future, and whatsoever, (as either belonging to thy body or life:) is without the jurisdiction of thine own will, and whatsoever in the ordinary course of human chances and accidents doth happen unto thee; so that thy mind (keeping herself loose and free from all outward coincidental entanglements;

Meditations, Book 12, Section 2 Book 12 · 4 of 41
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

God sees our minds and thoughts stripped bare of these physical bodies and surfaces and all earthly clutter. With His simple and pure understanding, He reaches into our deepest and purest parts, which first flowed from His like water through a pipe. If you learn to do this too, you will free yourself from all the baggage that weighs you down. Anyone who stops caring about their body, their clothes, their house, or any other external things will find great peace and ease.

Meditations, Book 12, Section 2 Book 12 · 3 of 41
Knowing Yourself Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

God beholds our minds and understandings, bare and naked from these material vessels, and outsides, and all earthly dross. For with His simple and pure understanding, He pierceth into our inmost and purest parts, which from His, as it were by a water pipe and channel, first flowed and issued. This if thou also shalt use to do, thou shalt rid thyself of that manifold luggage, wherewith thou art round about encumbered. For he that does regard neither his body, nor his clothing, nor his dwelling, nor any such external furniture, must needs gain unto himself great rest and ease.

Meditations, Book 12, Section 2 Book 12 · 3 of 41
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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