YOU will commit the fewest faults in judging, if you are faultless in your own life.
EPICTETUS. FRAGMENTS. 57.
USE thyself, as often as thou seest any man do anything, presently if it be possible to say unto thyself. What is this man's end in this his action? But begin this course with thyself first of all, and diligently examine thyself concerning whatsoever thou doest.
MARCUS AURELIUS. MEDITATIONS. Book x. 37.
PIERCE and penetrate into the estate of everyone's understanding that thou hast to do with: as also make the estate of thine own open, and penetrable to any other.
MARCUS AURELIUS. MEDITATIONS. Book viii. 58.
We should check our intentions and motivations when we act. See if our motivations are good. Once we have done this we can look outward and will usually find that others intentions are good even if the action isn't.
ReplyDelete"Whenever you see anyone doing something, ask yourself 'What is the end they are trying to reach? What is their motivation?' More importantly though, ask yourself these questions about your own actions."
ReplyDeleteWe are often all too ready to ascribe the most evil and cruel intentions to others, while we justify our own acts by our 'pure' intentions. First we must measure our own actions against virtue, and only then can we try to guess at the intentions of others.
We need to view our fellow man with confidence and respect rather than with suspicion. More often than not their intentions are good even if their actions seem to be the opposite.
ReplyDeleteWhen we stop to think, we sometimes try to get to the root of why people do things, to understand their motivations. We should spend as much effort or more trying to uncover our owm motivations, drives and goals. Only by unearthing our own fears and desires can we begin to take control of our own minds and hearts. Only then will we have joy and serentiy, and a cautious but hopeful vision of our future. - Inspired by Marcus Aurelius
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