"A person who doesn't know what the universe is, doesn't know where they are. A person who doesn't know their purpose in life doesn't know who they are or what the universe is. A person who doesn't know any one of these things doesn't know why they are here. So what to make of people who seek or avoid the praise those who have no knowledge of where or who they are?"
~ Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 8.52
It's not just the translation, if you're wondering. This one rather shows, in my opinion, the original nature of the Meditations as notes Marcus jotted to himself while out on campaign, with no thought to anyone else ever reading them or eventual publication. One gets what he's trying to say, but it's a bit unpolished, to say the least!
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