Doing The Right Thing

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Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

From Alexander the Grammarian, I learned not to be harsh with people who make language mistakes. Don't call out someone for bad grammar or wrong pronunciation. Instead, find a smooth way to show the right form. Answer their question using the correct word, or confirm what they said but with proper speech. Don't make a big deal of their mistake. Just give them a gentle, indirect hint about the right way to say it.

Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

From Alexander the Grammarian, to be un-reprovable myself, and not reproachfully to reprehend any man for a barbarism, or a solecism, or any false pronunciation, but dextrously by way of answer, or testimony, or confirmation of the same matter (taking no notice of the word) to utter it as it should have been spoken; or by some other such close and indirect admonition, handsomely and civilly to tell him of it.

Epictetus — The Slave

A student asked Epictetus about becoming a Cynic philosopher — what kind of person should a Cynic be and what the role really means. The student seemed drawn to that way of life. Epictetus said, "We'll discuss this properly when we have time. But I'll tell you this much: anyone who tries to take on such a huge responsibility without God's calling is disgusting to God. They'll end up doing nothing but making a fool of themselves in public."

Epictetus — The Slave Original

When one of his pupils inquired of Epictetus, and he was a person who appeared to be inclined to Cynicism, what kind of person a Cynic ought to be, and what was the notion ([Greek: prolaepsis]) of the thing, we will inquire, said Epictetus, at leisure; but I have so much to say to you that he who without God attempts so great a matter, is hateful to God, and has no other purpose than to act indecently in public.