Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 6.27 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 6.27
How cruel it is not to allow men to strive after the things which appear to them to be suitable to their nature and profitable! And yet in a manner thou dost not allow them to do this, when thou art vexed because they do wrong. For they are certainly moved towards things because they suppose them to be suitable to their nature and profitable to them.—But it is not so.—Teach them then, and show them without being angry.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 6.27, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/6.27
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesPeople pursue what they believe is good for them, so it is a bit unfair to be furious at their wrongdoing, since they act on mistaken beliefs. Where they are wrong, teach them and show them their error without anger.
Older wording
- “profitable”
- — beneficial
Themes and situations
- Anger
- Kindness and forgiveness
- Justice and fairness
- Judgements and impressions
- Being angry with someone
- Conflict at work
- Family conflict
- Being treated unfairly
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