Marcus Aurelius Meditations
Marcus Aurelius: O foolery! For what if they did, would…
O foolery! For what if they did, would their masters be sensible of It? or if sensible, would they be glad of it? or if glad, were these immortal? Was not it appointed unto them also (both men and women,) to become old in time, and then to die?
The passage follows a public-domain translation of Meditations. The reading beside it is ours.
Much of our agitation comes from worrying about what people beneath our notice—or above it—might think of us. Marcus asks us to zoom out. Even the people whose approval we chase are temporary, vulnerable, and headed toward the same end as everyone else. Why hand them authority over your peace? This is not permission to become dismissive or arrogant. Feedback matters, especially from people who know us well and want us to improve. But gossip, status signals, and the imagined judgment of strangers are poor guides for a life. They change too quickly and cannot make you good. Today, notice whose approval you are trying to win. If their opinion cannot improve your character or help you fulfill a responsibility, release it. Do what is right even when it earns no applause.
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