Saturday, January 27, 2018

Commentary on Meditations: B10:30

Whenever you take offence at the wrong done by another, move on at once to consider what similar wrong you are committing - it could be setting value on money, or pleasure, or reputation, and so on through the categories. This reflection will quickly damp your anger, aided by the further thought that the man is acting under compulsion - what else can he do? Or, if you can, remove the cause of his compulsion.

Being resilient; shaping my soul and mind to desire virtue; having grit - these are the rewards I seek in trying to live a Stoic life.  And whenever someone says or does something that may offend me, I'd like to think that instead of immediately reacting, that I'd pause and reflect upon my attitude.  Is what they did truly a wrong?  If so, how does that stack up against my wrongs?  How well am I doing with my goal of living a life according to virtue?  This, coupled with the idea of giving others the benefit of the doubt (that's how they are; they may not be able to help themselves; it seemed to be reasonable to them) should "dampen your anger" and get you focused on what matters.

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