Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 8.16 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.16
Remember that to change thy opinion and to follow him who corrects thy error is as consistent with freedom as it is to persist in thy error. For it is thy own, the activity which is exerted according to thy own movement and judgement, and indeed according to thy own understanding too.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.16, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/8.16
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesChanging your mind when someone corrects you is just as free and authentic an act as sticking with your mistake, because it still comes from your own judgement and understanding. Accepting correction costs you no dignity.
Themes and situations
- Pride and humility
- Learning and progress
- Freedom
- Judgements and impressions
- Being criticised or insulted
- Failure and mistakes
- Conflict at work
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