Seneca Moral essays
Seneca: You may observe the same thing in human life: no…
You may observe the same thing in human life: no one can merely go wrong by himself, but he must become both the cause and adviser of another’s wrongdoing.
The passage follows a public-domain translation of Seneca’s moral essays. The reading beside it is ours.
Wrongdoing is contagious. Rarely does someone make a bad choice in total isolation; they set an example, make an excuse easier, invite a friend to join in, or normalize a standard that spreads. This is true of obvious harms, but also of everyday conduct. Complaining in a team meeting teaches others that cynicism is acceptable. Cutting a small corner tells someone else that rules are optional. Gossip turns private irritation into a group activity. The reverse is true too: integrity gives other people permission to act better. Your restraint can interrupt an argument. Your refusal to laugh at cruelty can change what a group rewards. We cannot control every influence around us, but we should take our own influence seriously. Today, ask what your behavior is quietly training the people near you to believe is normal.
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