Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Commentary on Meditations: B8:16-17

Remember that to change course or accept correction leaves you just as free as you were. The action is your own, driven by your own impulse and judgement, indeed your own intelligence.

If the choice is yours, why do the thing? But if it is another's choice, what do you blame - atoms or gods? Either is madness. There is no blame. If you can, put him right: if you can't, at the least put the matter itself right. If that too is impossible, what further purpose does blame serve? Nothing should be done without purpose.

When it comes to action and feedback, you can either assent to the feedback (the correction) and change course or remain unchanged.  You are given the gift of reason to decide what is best.  No need to complain: just act or carry on.

When others' actions are involved and you think correction is needed, then do your best to persuade and convince the other person.  The other person will either agree with you or not.  If not, then don't cast blame on them; let it go.  All actions should have a purpose.

(see also Citadel p. 203-204, 286, 301)

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