Marcus Aurelius · a new plain-English translation from the original language
When you see Satyrion, picture a Socratic type, or a Eutyches, or a Hymen; and when you see Euphrates, picture a Eutychion or a Silvanus; and when you see Alciphron, picture a Trophy-bearer; and when you see Severus, picture a Crito or a Xenophon; and looking at yourself, picture one of the Caesars — and so on by proportion for each. Then let this strike you: where are they now? Nowhere, or who knows where. In this way you will continually see human affairs as smoke and nothing at all — especially if you keep in mind that once a thing has changed it will exist no more, for all the rest of infinite time. Why then do you strain yourself? Why isn't it enough for you to pass through this brief span in good order? What matter and occasion are you running from! What is all of this except exercises for a reason that has looked closely and scientifically at the things of life? Stay with it, then, until you have made even these things your own, the way a strong stomach makes everything its own, the way a bright fire turns whatever you throw into it into flame and light.