Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 12.12 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.12
With respect to that which happens conformably to nature, we ought to blame neither gods, for they do nothing wrong either voluntarily or involuntarily, nor men, for they do nothing wrong except involuntarily. Consequently we should blame nobody.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.12, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/12.12
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesWhen things happen as nature arranges them, there is no one to blame. The gods do no wrong, and people do wrong only out of ignorance rather than intent, so blaming anyone is misplaced. Seeing wrongdoers as mistaken rather than malicious takes the heat out of resentment.
Older wording
- “involuntarily”
- — not on purpose; through ignorance or error
Themes and situations
- Anger
- Acceptance and fate
- Kindness and forgiveness
- Justice and fairness
- Being angry with someone
- Betrayal
- Being treated unfairly
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