Meditations by Marcus Aurelius translated by George W. Chrystal (~180) Book 10 Part 1 (1-17)
Bonus:
Summary: I literally don't know if I've read some of these before.
Commentary:
1. Wilt thou ever, O my soul, be good and single, and one, and naked, more open to view than the body which surrounds thee? Wilt thou ever taste of the loving and satisfied temper? Wilt thou ever be full and without wants, setting thy heart on nothing, animate or inanimate, for the enjoyment of pleasure; not desiring time for longer enjoyment; nor place, nor country, nor fine climate, nor congenial company? Wilt thou be satisfied with thy present state, and well pleased with every present circumstance? Wilt thou persuade thyself that all things are thine; that all is well with thee; that all comes to thee from the Gods; and that what is best for thee is what they are pleased to give, now and henceforth, for the preservation of that perfected being, which is good, just, and beautiful; which generates, combines, embraces, and includes all fleeting things that dissolve to bring forth others like themselves? Wilt thou never be able to live a fellow citizen with Gods and men, approving them and by them approved?
Something I don't think is talked about enough in discussions of stoicism is how important the dichotomy between body and soul is. All of the, "NOTHING MATTERS! YOU'RE GONNA DIE!" comes from the fact that that stuff only affects the body. But I don't know that there's a lot about how to live up to what your soul wants. It's all just, "be good and honest and listen to your soul." A bit more about what that looks like might be nice.
9. Mimes, war, panic, sloth, servility, will wipe out the sacred maxims which you have gathered by observing Nature and stored in your mind.
Damn mimes! (Footnote in other editions translate this to theatres for shitty plays.) Very Homestuck.
16. Discourse no more of what a good man should be; but be one.
Shut up and do it!
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