Marcus Aurelius Meditations
Marcus Aurelius: Out of Antisthenes. 'It is a princely…
Out of Antisthenes. 'It is a princely thing to do well, and to be ill-spoken of. It is a shameful thing that the face should be subject unto the mind, to be put into what shape it will, and to be dressed by it as it will; and that the mind should not bestow so much care upon herself, as to fashion herself, and to dress herself as best becometh her.'
The passage follows a public-domain translation of Meditations. The reading beside it is ours.
It is a noble thing to do what is right and still be criticized for it. If your goodness depends on being praised, it is not yet secure. Marcus also points to an uncomfortable truth: we often spend more effort arranging our faces, clothes, and public image than shaping the mind behind them. We know how to look composed while being resentful, shallow, vain, or ruled by fear. No amount of polish can fix that imbalance. Take care of your appearance if you wish, but give at least equal care to your judgments, habits, and motives. Can you bear being misunderstood without abandoning the right course? Can you accept unflattering comments without becoming ugly inside? Today, do not let someone else’s opinion dictate your moral posture. Make the inner person worthy of the outer presentation. That is a form of dignity that criticism cannot easily damage.
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