Marcus Aurelius Meditations
Marcus Aurelius: Of Diognetus, not to busy myself about…
Of Diognetus, not to busy myself about vain things, and not easily to believe those things, which are commonly spoken, by such as take upon them to work wonders, and by sorcerers, or prestidigitators, and impostors; concerning the power of charms, and their driving out of demons, or evil spirits; and the like. Not to keep quails for the game; nor to be mad after such things.
The passage follows a public-domain translation of Meditations. The reading beside it is ours.
Not everything that is popular, dramatic, or confidently presented deserves your attention or belief. Marcus learned to avoid superstition, gossip, spectacle, and hobbies that turn into compulsions. Our versions may be viral conspiracy videos, miracle productivity hacks, outrage headlines, or endless checking of what an influencer says will happen next. The danger is not only being fooled. It is wasting the limited attention you could use to think, work, love, or rest. A person who needs constant stimulation becomes easy to manipulate. Be curious, but demand evidence. Be entertained, but do not let entertainment become your main occupation. When something promises secret knowledge or instant transformation, slow down instead of leaning in. Today, remove one needless source of noise from your phone or routine. Use those recovered minutes for something real: a walk, a difficult task, or a conversation with someone you care about.
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