If you haven’t looked at Part 1, here’s a link to it.
In this Part 2 post, I will share my favourite passages from Book 4 and Book 5, along with some of my explanations/thoughts about them.
[…] let your principles be brief and fundamental, which as soon as you shalt recur to them will be sufficient to cleanse the soul completely and send you back free from all discontent with the things to which you return […] (Book 4–3)
Keep your ruling principles short. So that you can easily remind yourself of them and thus be moved to the right path when you stray from them.
[…] But perhaps the desire of that thing called fame will torment you. See how soon everything is forgotten, and look at the chaos of infinite time on each side of [the present], and the emptiness of applause, and the changeableness and want of judgment in those who pretend to give praise, and the narrowness of the space within which it is circumscribed [and be quiet at last] […] (Book 4–3)
If you find yourself doing things for fame and chasing after the desire to be remembered, remind yourself how soon those who lived before have been forgotten. Observe how applause and praise are essentially meaningless. Observe how those who give praise often want something in return. The applause, the praise, and the fame you might be tempted to chase after are so short-lived. Observe this and then be content without these things.
[…] The universe is transformation; life is opinion. (Book 4–3)
Change is the only constant thing and most life is defined not by the facts of the events of life but by your opinion of these events. So, change your opinion and you can create a better life for yourself.
[…] Take away the complaint that I have been harmed and the harm is taken away. (Book 4–7)
If you do not have the opinion that you have been harmed by an event or act of another, then the harm is taken away. Such things are external and outside of your control but your opinion is in your control.
How much trouble he avoids who does not look to see what his neighbour says or does or thinks, but only to what he does himself, that it may be just and pure […] (Book 4–18)
Pay attention to your own acts and make sure that they are just and pure. Don’t look at what others are doing or saying. How much simpler and happier life can you live if you busy yourself with your own acts rather than the acts of others?
[…] But even suppose that those who will remember are immortal, and that the remembrance will be immortal, what then is this to you? And I say not what is it to the dead, but what is it to the living? What is praise, except indeed so far as it has a certain utility? […] (Book 4–19)
Do you crave fame? Then imagine if those who will remember you after you are gone are immortal and they will remember you forever. What difference does it make to you who is dead? What purpose does praise serve anyway?
Everything which is in any way beautiful is beautiful in itself, and terminates in itself, not having praise as part of itself. A thing is therefore made neither worse nor better by being praised… (Book 4–20)
Beautiful things do not require praise. They are beautiful even if no one praises them and their beauty doesn’t change if everyone praises it. It makes no difference. Similarly, a good act is made no different whether or not anyone praises it.
[…] Accordingly, on every occasion a man should ask himself, Is this one of the unnecessary things? Now a man should take away not only unnecessary acts, but also unnecessary thoughts, for thus superfluous acts will not follow after. (Book 4–24)
Ask yourself about each act and thought, whether this thought or act is unnecessary. If it is then stop doing it or don’t start it. If you stop unnecessary thoughts in your mind, unnecessary acts will stop as well.
[…] he is poor, who has need of another, and has not from himself all things which are useful for life […] (Book 4–29)
One who is self-sufficient is wealthy. One who has all the money in this world but needs to rely on others for happiness and tranquility in life is still poor.
It is no evil for things to undergo change, and no good for things to subsist in consequence of change. (Book 4–42)
Change is not evil but an essential fact of life. So don’t complain about change.
[…] To conclude, always observe how ephemeral and worthless human things are, and what was yesterday a little mucus, tomorrow will be a mummy or ashes. Pass then through this little space of time conformably to nature, and end your journey in content, as an olive falls off when it is ripe, blessing nature who produced it, and thanking the tree on which it grew. (Book 4–49)
Remember how short of a life you have. Soon you will be dead and gone. So go through this life in harmony with nature, your mind, and other humans. Don’t lament when it is time for you to leave but be thankful and gracious for the life you got to live.
[…] As a horse when he has run, a dog when he has tackled the game, a bee when it has made the honey, so a man when he has done a good act does not call out for others to come and see, but he goes on to another act, as a vine goes on to produce again the grapes in season […] (Book 5–6)
Everything has a purpose. As a human, one of your purposes is to do good to others. But why do you need something else in return for a good act? Why do you look to be praised by your fellow humans? Do a good act and then move to another afterward without expecting anything in return.
Do not be disgusted, discouraged, or dissatisfied, if you do not succeed in doing everything according to right principles. Rather when you have failed, return back again, and be content if the greater part of what you do is consistent with man’s nature, and love this to which you return […] (Book 5–9)
You will make mistakes in the pursuit of your principles. Do not be discouraged if you stray from the right path. But strive to come back to the chosen path quickly. Be content with this struggle.
[…] where a man can live, there he can also live well […] (Book 5–16)
Have fewer needs. Require few essential things and know how to live simply. Perhaps today you have all the money and luxury in the world but don’t get too comfortable with it. Be prepared to lose them.
Which one is your favourite?
