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THE STRONG ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY

“If we judge as good and evil only the things in the power of our own choice, then there is no room left for blaming gods or being hostile to others.”

- MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS

Summary

Marcus Aurelius suggests that we should view only those things under our control—our choices and responses—as truly good or bad. By reserving judgment for what we can influence, we eliminate the impulse to blame external forces, be it other people or the gods, for our troubles or disappointments. This perspective emphasizes taking full responsibility for our reactions, rather than attributing outcomes to luck, fate, or the actions of others.

Interpretation

In daily life, this mindset encourages a shift in focus toward personal accountability and resilience. When faced with adversity, rather than attributing our problems to external factors or unfair circumstances, we can choose to respond constructively and focus on what we can control. For someone familiar with Stoicism, this reinforces the importance of self-discipline and personal responsibility: by accepting that our happiness and peace of mind depend on our own choices, we free ourselves from the frustration of blaming others, empowering ourselves to live with purpose and strength.

 

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