And if all men refuse to believe that he lives a simple, modest, and contented life, he is neither angry with any of them, nor does he deviate from the way which leads to the end of life, to which a man ought to come pure, tranquil, ready to depart, and without any compulsion perfectly reconciled to his lot.
In his private journal, Marcus Aurelius describes the ideal conduct of a person who remains steadfast in virtue despite external judgment.
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With respect to that which happens conformably to nature, we ought to blame neither gods, for they do nothing wrong either voluntarily or involuntarily, nor men, for they do nothing wrong except involuntarily.
But everything else, whether it is in the power of thy will or not, is only lifeless ashes and smoke.
Consider in what condition both in body and soul a man should be when he is overtaken by death; and consider the shortness of life, the boundless abyss of time past and future, the feebleness of all matter.
But if there is a confusion without a governor, be content that in such a tempest thou hast in thyself a certain ruling intelligence.
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