Marcus Aurelius

He who does not know what the world is, does not know where he is.

What then can these things do to prevent thy mind from remaining pure, wise, sober, just?

Neither in thy actions be sluggish nor in thy conversation without method, nor wandering in thy thoughts, nor let there be in thy soul inward contention nor external effusion, nor in life be so busy as to have no leisure.

A cucumber is bitter--Throw it away.--There are briers in the road--Turn aside from them.--This is enough.

Thus then always abide by the first appearances, and add nothing thyself from within, and then nothing happens to thee.

Say nothing more to thyself than what the first appearances report.

Therefore the mind which is free from passions is a citadel, for man has nothing more secure to which he can fly for refuge and for the future be inexpugnable.

Remember that the ruling faculty is invincible, when self-collected it is satisfied with itself, if it does nothing which it does not choose to do, even if it resist from mere obstinacy.

But if anything in thy own disposition gives thee pain, who hinders thee from correcting thy opinion?

And it is in thy power to wipe out this judgment now.

If thou art pained by any external thing, it is not this thing that disturbs thee, but thy own judgment about it.

For the common nature brings nothing which may not be borne by thee.

If then there happens to each thing both what is usual and natural, why shouldst thou complain?

Nothing can happen to any man which is not a human accident, nor to an ox which is not according to the nature of an ox, nor to a vine which is not according to the nature of a vine, nor to a stone which is not proper to a stone.

Take me and cast me where thou wilt; for there I shall keep my divine part tranquil, that is, content, if it can feel and act comformably to its proper constitution.

And what is it in any way to thee if these men of after time utter this or that sound, or have this or that opinion about thee?

Different things delight different people; but it is my delight to keep the ruling faculty sound without turning away either from any man or from any of the things which happen to men, but looking at and receiving all with welcome eyes and…

It is not fit that I should give myself pain, for I have never intentionally given pain even to another.

The things however which are proper to the understanding no other man is used to impede, for neither fire, nor iron, nor tyrant, nor abuse, touches it in any way.

So then that which is a hindrance to the intelligence is an evil to the intelligent nature.

Let then the reason itself not trouble itself.

In the constitution of the rational animal I see no virtue which is opposed to justice; but I see a virtue which is opposed to love of pleasure, and that is temperance.

In the next place remember that neither the future nor the past pains thee, but only the present.

Let not thy thoughts at once embrace all the various troubles which thou mayest expect to befall thee: but on every occasion ask thyself, What is there in this which is intolerable and past bearing? for thou wilt be ashamed to confess.

Do not disturb thyself by thinking of the whole of thy life.