Ancient
Marcus Aurelius
121–180
Emperor, writing to himself
The Meditations were not meant for us. They are notes from a man trying to get through a morning, a war, and a court without becoming smaller. That privacy is why they still work.
In the canon
- In the morning when thou risest unwillingly, let this thought be present — I am rising to the work of a human being.
- Men seek retreats for themselves, houses in the country, sea-shores, and mountains. But this is altogether a mark of the most common sort of men, for it is in thy power whenever thou shalt choose to…