Meditations: A New Translation (Modern Library Classics)

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But the man motivated by desire, who is mastered by pleasure, seems somehow more self-indulgent, less manly in his sins. 2.10 It’s unfortunate that this has happened. No. It is fortunate that this has happened and I’ve remained unharmed by it–not shattered by the present or frightened of the future. 4.49 The body and its parts are a river, the soul is a dream and mist, life is warfare and a journey far from home, lasting reputation is oblivion. 2.17 Because anger too is weakness, as much as breaking down and giving up the struggle. Both are deserters: the man who breaks and runs, and the one who lets himself be alienated from his fellow humans. 11.9 This requires not merely passiveacquiescence in what happens, but active cooperation with the world, with fate and, above all,with other human beings. We were made, Marcus tells us over and over, not for ourselves but for others, and our nature is fundamentally unselfish. In our relationship with others we must work for their collective good, while treating them justly and fairly as possible.

What is divinedeservesour respect because it is good; what is human deserves our affection because it is like us. 2.13 Then what should you work for? Only this: proper understanding; unselfish action; truthful speech. A resolve to accept whatever happens as necessary and familiar, flowing like water from that same source and spring. 4.33 Then where is the harm to be found? In your capacity to see it. Stop doing that and everything will be fine. 4.39Everything you’re trying to reach–by taking the long way round–you could have right now, this moment. If you’d only stop thwarting your own attempts. If you’d only let go of the past, entrust the future to God, and guide the present towards reverence and justice. 12.1 No matter what anyone says or does, my task is to be good. Like gold or emerald or purple repeating to itself, “No matter what anyone says or does, my task is to be emerald, my color undiminished.” 7.15 To have that. Not a cistern but a perpetual spring. How? By working to win your freedom. Hour by hour. Throughpatience, honesty, and humility. 8.51

To follow the logos in all things is to be relaxed and energetic, joyful and serious at once. 10.12 Our duty is to exercise stringent control over the faculty of perception, with the aim of protecting our mind from error. To live a good life: We have the potential for it If we can learn to be indifferent to what makes no difference. 11.16

It’s time you realize that you have something in you more powerful and miraculous than the things that affect you and make you dance like a puppet. 12.19 To move from one unselfish action to another with God in mind. Only there, delight and stillness. 6.7 And to those who complain and try to obstruct and thwart things–they help as much as anyone. The world needs them as well. 6.42