Marcus Aurelius · a new plain-English translation from the original language
Do not be disgusted, nor give up, nor grow impatient, if it does not happen densely enough for you to act on right principles in every case; but even when knocked back, return to it again, and be glad if most of what you do is more worthy of a human being, and love this, that to which you return, and do not return to it as a pupil returns to a strict tutor, but as those with sore eyes turn to the sponge and the egg, as another turns to a poultice, as to a soothing compress. For in this way you will show that obeying reason is no burden, but that you find rest in it. Remember that philosophy wants only what your own nature wants; but you were wanting something else, not in accordance with nature. For what could be more agreeable than this? Is it not for this very reason that pleasure deceives? But look and consider whether greatness of soul is not more agreeable, and freedom, and simplicity, and considerateness, and holiness. For what is more agreeable than practical wisdom itself, when you consider the unstumbling and smooth-flowing character, in every matter, of the faculty of understanding and knowledge?