How To Act

"How to act:

Never under compulsion, out of selfishness, without forethought, without misgivings.
Don't gussy up your thoughts.
No surplus words or unnecessary actions.
Let the spirit in you represent a human, an adult, a citizen, a Roman, a ruler. Taking up their post like a soldier and patiently awaiting his recall from life. Needing no oath or witness.
Cheerfulness. Without requiring other people's help, or serenity supplied by others.
To stand up straight—not straightened."
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations