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Today’s reflection
Go straight to the seat of intelligence—your own, the world’s, your neighbor’s.
Your own—to ground it in justice.
The world’s—to remind yourself what it is that you’re part of.
Your neighbor’s—to distinguish ignorance from calculation. And recognize it as like yours.
Meditations 9.22
Today’s meditation
The underlying Stoic issue here is the importance of understanding and perspective in living a virtuous life. In Meditations 9.22, Marcus Aurelius advises us to "go straight to the seat of intelligence" in three areas: our own, the world's, and our neighbor's.
This passage reveals that living well requires a deep understanding of ourselves, our place in the world, and the nature of those around us. By examining our own intelligence, we "ground it in justice," which suggests that self-awareness is essential for making just and fair decisions.
To apply this insight today, one could take a moment to reflect on their own values and principles, ensuring they are aligned with justice and virtue. Additionally, considering the world's intelligence can help us recognize our role within the larger cosmic context, fostering a sense of humility and responsibility.
Regarding our neighbor's intelligence, the passage encourages us to distinguish between ignorance and calculation, and to recognize that their thoughts and feelings are similar to our own. This can help us cultivate empathy and understanding in our interactions with others.
As you go about your day, you might ask yourself: What is one situation where I can apply this insight, by seeking to understand the intelligence of myself, the world, or my neighbor, and how might that understanding guide my actions?