Marcus Aurelius Stoic teachings
Marcus Aurelius: Do not be tossed about. Bring every…
Do not be tossed about. Bring every impulse before justice, and preserve your sound judgment whenever appearances press upon you.
A paraphrase of a teaching associated with Marcus Aurelius, written for modern readers. Not a transcription of a copyrighted edition.
The first idea that enters our mind is often incomplete. It may be generous, selfish, fearful, or simply rushed. If we act on every first impression, our day becomes a series of reactions to whatever is loudest. A better practice is to give impulses a quick examination. Is this fair to the people involved? Does it fit the person I want to be? What facts am I overlooking? This can take only a few seconds before forwarding a message, making a purchase, assigning blame, or volunteering for something you cannot sustain. Justice is useful because it turns attention beyond immediate comfort and asks what is due to others as well as yourself. Clear thinking is not coldness; it is a safeguard against creating avoidable harm. Today, choose one decision you would normally make on autopilot. Slow it down just enough to test it against fairness and reason before you move.
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