Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Fourth, you break the rules in many ways too. You are just like them. You might not actually do certain wrong things, but you have the urge to do them. Fear or vanity or some other foolish reason holds you back. Fifth, you cannot know for sure if they have really done wrong. Many actions serve a purpose you do not see. You must know many things before you can judge another person fairly. Sixth, when you get upset or make a big fuss, you forget that life is brief. Soon we will all be dead.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 16 Book 11 · 22 of 45
Human Nature Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Fourthly, that thou thyself doest transgress in many things, and art even such another as they are. And though perchance thou doest forbear the very act of some sins, yet hast thou in thyself an habitual disposition to them, but that either through fear, or vainglory, or some such other ambitious foolish respect, thou art restrained. Fifthly, that whether they have sinned or no, thou doest not understand perfectly. For many things are done by way of discreet policy; and generally a man must know many things first, before he be able truly and judiciously to judge of another man's action. Sixthly, that whensoever thou doest take on grievously, or makest great woe, little doest thou remember then that a man's life is but for a moment of time, and that within a while we shall all be in our graves.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 16 Book 11 · 22 of 45
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

But most importantly, notice how their beliefs force them to act the way they do. And see the pride they take in their actions. Third, if what they do is right, you have no reason to be upset. But if it's wrong, they must be acting against their true will and out of ignorance. As Plato said, no soul chooses to do wrong on purpose. So no one does anything they shouldn't do by choice — it's against their will. That's why people get upset when you accuse them of being unfair, unreasonable, greedy, or harmful to others.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 16 Book 11 · 21 of 45
Human Nature Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

But above all things, how they are forced by their opinions that they hold, to do what they do; and even those things that they do, with what pride and self-conceit they do them. Thirdly, that if they do these things rightly, thou hast no reason to be grieved. But if not rightly, it must needs be that they do them against their wills, and through mere ignorance. For as, according to Plato's opinion, no soul doth willingly err, so by consequent neither doth it anything otherwise than it ought, but against her will. Therefore are they grieved, whensoever they hear themselves charged, either of injustice, or unconscionableness, or covetousness, or in general, of any injurious kind of dealing towards their neighbours.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 16 Book 11 · 21 of 45
‹ Previous Next ›

Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

About · Support