Meditations 12.33

How does the ruling faculty make use of itself? for all lies in this. But everything else, whether it is in the power of thy will or not, is only lifeless ashes and smoke.

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.33, translated by George Long

How does the ruling Reason treat itself? That is the gist of the whole matter. All else, be it in thy choice or not, is but as dust and smoke.

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.33, translated by C. R. Haines