Marcus Aurelius · a new plain-English translation from the original language
Watch that you don't become thoroughly Caesar-ized, that you don't get dyed with that purple — for it does happen. So keep yourself simple, good, unmixed, dignified, unadorned, a friend of justice, reverent toward the gods, kindly, affectionate, strong for the tasks that are fitting. Fight to remain the man philosophy wished to make you. Revere the gods, save mankind. Life is short; the one fruit of earthly existence is a holy disposition and actions for the common good. Do everything as a disciple of Antoninus: his vigor in acting according to reason, his evenness everywhere, his holiness, the serenity of his face, his gentleness, his freedom from vanity, his eagerness to grasp matters accurately; and how he would never let anything go until he had first looked at it thoroughly and understood it clearly; and how he bore those who blamed him unjustly without blaming them back; how he was never in a hurry about anything; how he did not accept slander; how he was a precise examiner of characters and actions, not given to reproach, not timid, not suspicious, not a sophist; how he was satisfied with little — housing, bedding, clothing, food, service; how he was hard-working and patient; and how, because of his simple diet, he was able to remain at the same task until evening, not even needing to relieve himself outside his usual hour; and the steadiness and constancy of his friendships; and his tolerance of those who spoke frankly against his opinions, and his joy when someone showed him something better; and how he was reverent toward the gods without superstition — so that your last hour may find you with as clear a conscience as his.