Marcus Aurelius Meditations
Marcus Aurelius: When any shall either impeach thee with…
When any shall either impeach thee with false accusations, or hatefully reproach thee, or shall use any such carriage towards thee, get thee presently to their minds and understandings, and look in them, and behold what manner of men they be. Thou shalt see, that there is no such occasion why it should trouble thee, what such as they are think of thee.
The passage follows a public-domain translation of Meditations. The reading beside it is ours.
Criticism hurts most when we treat it as a revelation from an objective authority. Marcus advises a reality check: look at the person making the accusation. What are their habits, fears, incentives, and blind spots? This is not a license to dismiss all criticism by attacking the critic. Sometimes the harshest feedback contains a useful truth. But you should not surrender your peace to someone merely because they spoke loudly, publicly, or with contempt. A cruel review, a hostile comment, or gossip at work often tells you at least as much about the speaker’s state as about your worth. Evaluate the claim on its merits. Keep what is accurate. Correct what needs correction. Leave the venom behind. Today, if someone’s judgment is looping in your head, ask whether you are responding to facts or to the force of their delivery. Do not let a troubled person appoint themselves your inner judge.
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