Thoughts - Book III
Aurelius recommends, “Do not waste the remainder of your life in thoughts about others, when you do not refer your thoughts to some object of common utility. For you lose the opportunity of doing something else when you have such thoughts as these. What is such a person doing, and why, and what is he saying, and what is he thinking of, and what is he contriving, and whatever else of the kind makes us wander away from the observation of our own ruling power.” Unwarranted thoughts about other persons result in the despoiling of one’s time. It is commendable to invest one’s thoughts in activities that would lead to useful action in one’s existence.
Profit - Book III
Aurelius advises, “ Never value anything as profitable that compels you to break your promise, to lose your self-respect, to hate any man, to suspect, to curse, to act the hypocrite , to desire anything that needs walls and curtains.” Profitable engagements should be contributory to one’s unequivocal contentment. All the repercussions outlined above cannot be profitable because they are grounded on adversity. Profitable engagements should magnify self-esteem, dishearten animosity, nurture trust, bless, and curtail duplicity.
Life - Book IV
Aurelius writes, “Do not consider life a thing of any value. For look to the immensity of time behind you and the time that is ahead of you, another boundless space. In this infinity, then, what is the difference between him who lives three days and him who lives generations?” Here, Aurelius infers that the foreseeable end result of life is bereavement, which is inexorable for all mortals.
