I

July    23rd

RECEIVE HONORS  AND SLIGHTS 

EXACTLY THE SAME    WAY

“Receive    without pride,  let go  without attachment.”

—MARCUS AURELIUS,   MEDITATIONS,    8.33

n the midst of the breakdown of the Roman Republic, during the civil war between Pompey and
Caesar, Pompey made the decision to give control of the military fleet to Cato. It was a massive honor
and hugely powerful position. But then a few days later, responding to the protests of his jealous inner
circle, Pompey reversed his decision and took the command away.
It could have been seen as an enormous public humiliation—to be given a promotion and then have it
taken away. The record shows that Cato’s reaction was basically nothing. He responded to the honor and
the dishonor the same way: with indifference and acceptance. He certainly didn’t let it affect his support
for the cause. In fact, after the snub, he worked to rally the soldiers before battle with inspirational
speeches—the very men who should have been under his command.
That’s what Marcus is saying. Do not take the slights of the day personally—or the exciting rewards
and recognitions either, especially when duty has assigned you an important cause. Trivial details like the
rise and fall of your position say nothing about you as a person. Only your behavior—as Cato’s did—
will.