Things themselves touch not the soul, not in the least degree; nor have they admission to the soul, nor can they turn or move the soul: but the soul turns and moves itself alone, and whatever judgments it may think proper to make, such it makes for itself the things which present themselves to it.
Marcus Aurelius asserts the soul's complete autonomy from external events, emphasizing its power to form its own judgments.
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More from Marcus Aurelius
Be cheerful also, and seek not external help nor the tranquillity which others give.
Always run to the short way; and the short way is the natural: accordingly say and do everything in conformity with the soundest reason.
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.
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