15 January 2026

‘The Thoughts of Marcus Aurelius’, a former Roman Emperor, are full of wisdom. In thinking about those who act badly towards us, he invites us to remember a number of things which will help us cope with this apparent injustice. Here are three.

‘Reflect that, if these actions of theirs are right, it is no duty of thine to take them amiss; while if they are wrong it is clear they err through ignorance, not of free-will.’ He argues that people wouldn’t choose to sin against us because it is natural to treat people according to their merits.

He also reminds us that we have vices too and sin as others do. Then he gets under our skin. ‘True, thou holdest aloof from certain errors, yet thy character is prone to fall into them, though cowardice,  love of reputation, or some equally despicable motive may save thee from such overt commission.’

One of his most effective suggestions to cope with what happens to us is to gain an eternal perspective. ‘When utter vexation and impatience overpower thee, take refuge in the thought that man’s life is but for a moment, and anon we shall all be under the sod.’

He calls us to ‘shun flattery as diligently as thou shunnest anger. Both are detrimental to the community and both lead to harm. And in anger let the thought be ever present that indignation is not a form of courage, but that meekness and gentleness are not only more human but also more manly …’

As I observed on Monday, Jesus says of himself, ‘I am meek and lowly of heart.’ This is the manly quality which Marcus Aurelius commends. ‘It is he who possesses  meekness and gentleness that has strength, nerve and bravery, not the angry and discontented.’

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