“How much better to heal than seek revenge from injury. Vengeance wastes a lot of time and exposes you to many more injuries than the first that sparked it. Anger always outlasts hurt. Best to take the opposite course. Would anyone think it normal to return a kick to a mule or a bite to a dog?”
—SENECA, ON ANGER

Summary:
Marcus Aurelius and Seneca highlight that revenge is not the path to resolving hurt or wrongs. Marcus advises that the best way to avenge yourself is by not adopting the same behavior as the wrongdoer. Seneca reinforces this by stating that seeking vengeance only prolongs anger and brings more harm than the original injury. Instead of wasting time on revenge, it is wiser to take the high road and focus on healing rather than retaliating.

Interpretation:
In real life, when someone wrongs you, it can be tempting to respond in kind out of anger. But by choosing not to retaliate, you avoid getting entangled in a cycle of bitterness. Imagine a situation where a colleague undermines you at work. Rather than plotting revenge, you can focus on doing your job well and rising above the conflict. This not only shows your strength but also preserves your peace of mind. Stoicism teaches that controlling your reactions leads to a better outcome than allowing anger to control you.