† Up on the platform. †
Have you forgotten what’s what?
—I know, but it was important to them.
And so you have to be an idiot as well?
Meditations 5.36a
Today’s meditation
The underlying Stoic issue here is the tendency to compromise one's judgment and values in order to conform to others' expectations. In Meditations 5.36a, Marcus Aurelius asks, "And so you have to be an idiot as well?" This phrase suggests that simply because something is important to others, it doesn't necessarily mean we should prioritize it or compromise our own values.
This passage reveals that living well requires maintaining our independence of thought and judgment, even in the face of external pressures. As Marcus Aurelius implies, we shouldn't feel obligated to adopt foolish or misguided beliefs just because they are held by others. Instead, we should strive to think critically and make decisions based on our own reason and values.
To apply this insight today, someone might reflect on their own relationships and interactions. Are there situations where they feel pressured to conform to others' expectations, even if it means compromising their own values or judgment? By recognizing these situations, they can take a step back and ask themselves, "Is this truly important to me, or am I just trying to please others?" By prioritizing their own values and judgment, they can cultivate a sense of inner strength and integrity, and make decisions that align with their own principles.
As you go about your day, you might ask yourself: What is one situation where you feel pressured to compromise your values, and how might you respond in a way that stays true to your own judgment and principles?