Meditations by Marcus Aurelius translated by George W. Chrystal (~180) Book 5 Part 1

 Meditations by Marcus Aurelius translated by George W. Chrystal (~180) Book 5 Part 1

Bonus: 

I went and found the ABS version and not the first one on Youtube.

Summary: Get up and get your shit done!

Commentary:

1. Sometimes, even Stoics don't want to wake up in the morning.

But is it really right to just lay in bed all day?

"But it's comfy!" you say?

Is pleasure all you want? (Marcus Aurelius is not a hedonist)

All the plants and animals and bugs work.

Will you not do the work that is you were made for?

"But I am le tired."

Just like eating and drinking, there is an appropriate amount of resting.

If you lay in bed all day, you dishonor yourself and your work.

Is the pursuit of good less valuable than *insert that annoying thing your neighbor does all the time here*?

2. If you ignore everything you dislike, it's easy to be calm.

3. Nothing consistent with your moral nature is bad. Even if you are criticized, stick with it.

4. Live the life nature intended until you die. The Earth will still be there for you when you die, no matter how badly you've mistreated it.

5. People don't admire shrewdness. They admire sincerity, dignity, carefulness, not being whiny, frugality, kind, honest, loving, ambitious. These are all virtues you are fit to pursue. Would you rather be whiny, dishonest, boastful, etc.?  No, you're just kinda slow. You could fix that if you worked on it.

6. Some people call in their favors. Some people don't mention them, but always think about them. Some not to worry about it. These are the people who build the world.

7. Pray simply and honestly, or not at all.

8. Whatever fate gives you is good for you.

This one is long, and I'm gonna split it into multiple parts. I like it so far, strong contender for best book of Meditations. I particularly like 1 and 5.