Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 9.27 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 9.27
When another blames thee or hates thee, or when men say about thee anything injurious, approach their poor souls, penetrate within, and see what kind of men they are. Thou wilt discover that there is no reason to take any trouble that these men may have this or that opinion about thee. However thou must be well disposed towards them, for by nature they are friends. And the gods too aid them in all ways, by dreams, by signs, towards the attainment of those things on which they set a value.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 9.27, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/9.27
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesWhen someone criticises you or hates you, look into what kind of person they are and you will see no reason to care what they think of you. Still treat them kindly, since they are by nature your fellows and, like you, are going after what they value.
Older wording
- “injurious”
- — harmful or insulting
Themes and situations
- Insult and criticism
- Reputation and others' opinions
- Kindness and forgiveness
- Community and our duty to others
- Being criticised or insulted
- Being angry with someone
- Conflict at work
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