Marcus Aurelius Meditations
Marcus Aurelius: But as for those which by the vulgar…
But as for those which by the vulgar are esteemed good, if he shall hear them mentioned as good, he doth hearken for more. He is well contented to hear, that what is spoken by the comedian, is but familiarly and popularly spoken, so that even the vulgar apprehend the difference.
The passage follows a public-domain translation of Meditations. The reading beside it is ours.
Popular culture often calls money, fame, beauty, and winning “good” as if that settles the matter. Marcus reminds us to listen carefully to the words we use. Something can be desirable without being morally good. Something can be painful without being morally bad.
A promotion is useful, but it can make you vain or distracted. A setback is unpleasant, but it can be met with courage. If we call external outcomes our highest good, we become frightened whenever they are threatened and arrogant whenever they arrive.
Train yourself to reserve the word good for what improves character: honesty, justice, courage, self-control, and wisdom. Reserve bad for what corrupts it. Everything else is material to work with. This distinction is subtle, but it changes how you handle both success and loss. Today, notice what you automatically praise or fear. Is it truly good or bad—or simply preferred or inconvenient?
Related passages
- Marcus Aurelius What is it then that should be dear unto us? to hear a clattering noise? if not that, then neither to be applauded by…
- Epictetus Events make us fearful when we judge that others control them. A stronghold falls not chiefly to fire or steel, but to…
- Seneca Life has no sound direction, and misery has no end, when we allow fear to rule.