Marcus Aurelius Meditations
Marcus Aurelius: Of him that brought me up, not to be…
Of him that brought me up, not to be fondly addicted to either of the two great factions of the coursers in the circus, called Prasini, and Veneti: nor in the amphitheatre partially to favour any of the gladiators, or fencers, as either the Parmularii, or the Secutores.
The passage follows a public-domain translation of Meditations. The reading beside it is ours.
The ancient circus had fan bases as obsessive as any sports league, political tribe, or online community today. Marcus was taught not to surrender his judgment to a team, a celebrity, or the thrill of taking sides. Enjoy the game, follow the news, care about your beliefs—but do not let them turn strangers into enemies or make every disagreement feel personal. The moment your mood depends on whether your side wins, someone else has gained control of your peace. This applies at work too: do not attach your identity so tightly to one department, manager, or strategy that you cannot see clearly. Ask yourself whether you are seeking truth and contribution, or merely the rush of belonging. Today, notice one place where tribal language is pulling you in. Step back, hear the other side fairly, and keep your character bigger than your allegiance.
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