Commentary on Meditations: B10:13-14

As soon as you wake from sleep ask yourself: 'Will it make any difference to you if others criticize what is in fact just and true?' No, it will not. You have surely not forgotten what these people who whinny in praise or blame of others are like in their bed and at their board, the sort of things they do and avoid or pursue, their cheating and stealing, not with hands and feet, but with the most precious part of themselves, the part where - if allowed - there grows trust, decency, truth, law, the spirit of goodness.

Nature gives all and takes all back. To her the man educated into humility says: 'Give what you will; take back what you will.' And he says this in no spirit of defiance, but simply as her loyal subject.

In chapter 13, Marcus notes what truly matters: truth, justice, decency and goodness.  It does not matter what others criticize.  If it doesn't stand up to the test of truth and justice, it deserves to be criticized and 'brought to justice.'  But if others are going to criticize truth and justice, then don't forget how petty these people can be - what useless things they pursue and care about.  They only cheat themselves out of virtue.

Regarding chapter 14, if one truly seeks to live according to Nature, then one will realize all that he has comes from Nature and all his possessions will be returned to Nature. This attitude is aligned with loving the fate one has been given.

(see also Citadel p. 121, 265, 217)