A small wooden house with an open glowing doorway stands beside a twisting column of windblown leaves in a stormy sepia landscape.

Original artwork, not a still

Meditations

Marcus Aurelius

Men seek retreats for themselves, houses in the country, sea-shores, and mountains; and thou too art wont to desire such things very much. But this is altogether a mark of the most common sort of men, for it is in thy power whenever thou shalt choose to retire into thyself. For nowhere either with more quiet or more freedom from trouble does a man retire than into his own soul.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The speaker says people look for getaways in country houses, seashores and mountains, but this is a common craving. The real retreat is always available, since one can withdraw into one's own soul, where quiet and freedom from trouble are greater than anywhere else.

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