Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Think about praise for a moment. Consider how many people who were once highly praised are now completely forgotten. Even the people who praised them are long dead. So don't be ashamed when you need help from others. Whatever task you have to complete, think of it like a soldier scaling walls. What if you're injured or have some other problem that prevents you from reaching the top alone, but you could make it with help? Would you give up? Would you approach it with less courage just because you can't do it by yourself?

Meditations, Book 7, Section 5 Book 7 · 7 of 58
Knowing Yourself Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

For as for praise, consider how many who once were much commended, are now already quite forgotten, yea they that commended them, how even they themselves are long since dead and gone. Be not therefore ashamed, whensoever thou must use the help of others. For whatsoever it be that lieth upon thee to effect, thou must propose it unto thyself, as the scaling of walls is unto a soldier. And what if thou through either lameness or some other impediment art not able to reach unto the top of the battlements alone, which with the help of another thou mayst; wilt thou therefore give it over, or go about it with less courage and alacrity, because thou canst not effect it all alone?

Meditations, Book 7, Section 5 Book 7 · 7 of 58
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Do I have the skills and understanding for this task? If I do, I'll use them like any other tool I was born with. No need for applause or showing off. If I don't have what it takes, and this isn't really my job anyway, I'll either drop it and let someone better handle it, or I'll try it with help from others. Together we might accomplish something useful for everyone. Whatever I do, alone or with others, the only thing that matters is whether it serves the common good.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 5 Book 7 · 6 of 58
Doing The Right Thing Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Is my reason, and understanding sufficient for this, or no? If it be sufficient, without any private applause, or public ostentation as of an instrument, which by nature I am provided of, I will make use of it for the work in hand, as of an instrument, which by nature I am provided of. if it be not, and that otherwise it belong not unto me particularly as a private duty, I will either give it over, and leave it to some other that can better effect it: or I will endeavour it; but with the help of some other, who with the joint help of my reason, is able to bring somewhat to pass, that will now be seasonable and useful for the common good. For whatsoever I do either by myself, or with some other, the only thing that I must intend, is, that it be good and expedient for the public.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 5 Book 7 · 6 of 58
‹ Previous Next ›

Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

About · Support