Meditations by Marcus Aurelius translated by George W. Chrystal (~180) Book 8 Part 3 (35-61)

 Meditations by Marcus Aurelius translated by George W. Chrystal (~180) Book 8 Part 3 (35-61)

Bonus: 

MA would hate this song.

Summary: It's okay to change your mind, but, when you make it up, stick with it.

Commentary: 

Marcus Aurelius is much more strongly in favor of restraining pleasure than Epictetus and other stoic stuff I've read. Most of them have some form of BF's temperance, but MA seems to be in favor of denying pleasure for the sake of doing so, not just being careful not to let it get in the way of other, more important, things.

8.40 Take away your opinion about the things that seem to give you pain, and you stand yourself upon the surest ground. What is that self?—It is reason.—I am not reason, you say.—So be it; then let not reason pain itself, but leave any part of you which suffers to its own opinions of the pain.

8.47 When you are grieved about anything external it is not the thing itself which afflicts you, but your judgment about it. This judgment it is in your power to efface. If you are grieved about anything in your own disposition, who can prevent you from correcting your principles of life? If you are grieved because you do not set about some work which seems to you sound and virtuous, go about it effectually rather than grieve that it is undone.—But some superior force withstands.—Then grieve not, for the fault of the omission lies not in you.—But life is not worth living with this undone.— Quit life then, in the same kindly spirit as though you had done it, and with goodwill even to those who withstand you.

He said the thing!

8.51 Be not languid in action, nor confused in conversation, nor vague in your opinions. Let there be no sudden contractions or forth-sallyings of your soul. In your life be not over-hurried.

Changing your mind is okay, but actually make it up every once in a while.

8.53 Do you wish to be praised by a man who curses himself thrice within an hour? Can you desire to please one who is not pleased with himself? Can he be pleased with himself who repents of almost everything he does?

As a society, we spend way too much time trying to make people who hate everything happy. It's not worth ruining ourselves for them.