How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter)
Quote #7
Remember that to change course or accept correction leaves you just as free as you were. The action is your own, driven by your own impulse and judgement, indeed your own intelligence. (8.16)
Though he is emperor, Marcus seems pretty intent on remaining humble and ever-willing to learn from those who have greater wisdom. He's a good student. In this case, he tells himself that he's not giving up power or shackling himself in any way if he can admit that he's wrong about something. It's also an act of will to choose to be corrected and to change your ways. And that's always a good thing, since every action of the mind should be focused and deliberate.
Quote #8
Remember that your directing mind becomes invincible when it withdraws into its own self-sufficiency, not doing anything it does not wish to do, even if its position is unreasonable...That is why a mind free from passions is a fortress: people have no stronger place of retreat, and someone taking refuge here is then impregnable. (8.48)
Marcus and others make much out of the image of the mind as fortress or calming retreat. It's essential for a person to remain free from the concerns of the external world—otherwise, he or she will become shackled by things like expectation, concern for reputation, and desires for worldly things. When life becomes too overwhelming, Marcus tells himself that a vacation is nothing compared to the benefits of moving inward and examining all the good philosophical doctrines he has stored in his memory. Not our idea of a good time, but we can see the value in having a strong internal support system in place.
Quote #9
What are these principles? Those of good and evil—the belief that nothing is good for a human being which does not make him just, self-controlled, brave and free: and nothing evil which does not make him the opposite of these. (8.1)
Marcus values freedom and independence above all things because he believes that humans were created at the very top of the earthly hierarchy of beings; therefore, they are closest to the gods in likeness. If you're going to have that kind of privilege, you've got to embrace it through your behavior. Behaving as a tyrant (a real threat in the life of an emperor) or acting like a hedonist degrades this dignity.