Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

When people ask you, "Where have you seen the gods? How do you know for certain that gods exist, since you worship them so devotedly?" I answer this way. First, they are visible to the eye in some way. Second, I have never seen my own soul, yet I respect and honor it. So with the gods — through daily experience of their power and care for me and others, I know certainly that they exist. That is why I worship them.

Meditations, Book 12, Section 21 Book 12 · 34 of 41
Knowing Yourself What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

To them that ask thee, Where hast thou seen the Gods, or how knowest thou certainly that there be Gods, that thou art so devout in their worship? I answer first of all, that even to the very eye, they are in some manner visible and apparent. Secondly, neither have I ever seen mine own soul, and yet I respect and honour it. So then for the Gods, by the daily experience that I have of their power and providence towards myself and others, I know certainly that they are, and therefore worship them.

Meditations, Book 12, Section 21 Book 12 · 34 of 41
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Keep thinking about people who were once filled with rage over something. People who reached the highest points of honor or disaster. People consumed by hatred or any other strong feeling. Then ask yourself: what happened to all of that? It all turned to smoke and ashes. It became just a story, maybe not even that. Think of examples like Fabius Catulinus in battle, Lucius Lupus and Stertinius at Baiae, Tiberius at Capri, Velius Rufus — all these men who pursued worldly things with such intensity. Remember how cheap the things they chased really were. How much better it is to handle whatever comes your way with justice and balance, following the gods with simple honesty. The worst kind of pride is being proud that you're not proud.

Meditations, Book 12, Section 20 Book 12 · 33 of 41
What Matters Most Human Nature
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Let thy thoughts ever run upon them, who once for some one thing or other, were moved with extraordinary indignation; who were once in the highest pitch of either honour, or calamity; or mutual hatred and enmity; or of any other fortune or condition whatsoever. Then consider what's now become of all those things. All is turned to smoke; all to ashes, and a mere fable; and perchance not so much as a fable. As also whatsoever is of this nature, as Fabius Catulinus in the field; Lucius Lupus, and Stertinius, at Baiæ Tiberius at Capreæ and Velius Rufus, and all such examples of vehement prosecution in worldly matters; let these also run in thy mind at the same time; and how vile every object of such earnest and vehement prosecution is; and how much more agreeable to true philosophy it is, for a man to carry himself in every matter that offers itself; justly, and moderately, as one that followeth the Gods with all simplicity. For, for a man to be proud and high conceited, that he is not proud and high conceited, is of all kind of pride and presumption, the most intolerable.

Meditations, Book 12, Section 20 Book 12 · 33 of 41
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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