Learn to ask of all actions, “Why are they doing that?” Starting with your own.Does he accept and welcome what he’s been assigned?.Is what he’s doing now the right thing to be doing?.For every action, ask: How does it affect me? Could I change my mind about it?.Self-contraction: the mind’s requirements are satisfied by doing what we should, and by the calm it brings us.If you understand that, you’ll feel sympathy rather than outrage or anger. When people injure you, ask yourself what good or harm they thought would come of it.Sanity means tying it to your own actions. Self-indulgence means tying it to the things that happen to you. Ambition means tying your well-being to what other people say or do.
Our efforts are subject to circumstances. You can lead an untroubled life provided you can grow, can think and can act systematically. The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. When having trouble getting out of bed, ask yourself “Was I created for this ? Or was I born for something more?”. What happens in every life is neither natural nor unnatural. What happens to everyone is neither good nor bad. Stop doing that and everything will be fine. Harm comes from your capacity to see it. Find fulfillment in superhuman truthfulness (every word, every utterance). Find fulfillment in what you’re doing now, as Nature intended. Embrace this without fear or expectation. Keep the spirit inside you undamaged, as if you might have to give it back at any moment. Do your job in a principled way, with diligence, energy and patience. It will keep you from doing anything useful. Don’t waste your time worrying about other people – unless it affects the common good. Expect the worst of people, recognize that others have their own nature, but remember that you share the same body, mind and spirit. A man can show both strength and flexibility. Advise a prominent political figure (effectively an apprenticeship). Will – governs our attitude toward things not in our control. Action – we are social animals and must act for the collective good while treating others justly and fairly as individuals. Marcus Aurelius focuses on three disciplines. Perfection of character: to live your last day, every day, without frenzy, or sloth, or pretence. 
Values to exhibit: abstinence, austerity, cooperative, courage, endurance, generosity, high-mindedness, honesty, humility, justice, moderation, patience, prudence, sanity, self-control, seriousness, sincerity, straightforwardness, resignation (acceptance of that which is outside your control).Incredible insights into the mind of the world’s most powerful man at the time. Reminders of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius to himself on what the world is like, how to do his job well, how to live well and how to be a good person.
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