Physics. Ethics. Logic.
- When you have to deal with someone, ask yourself: What
does he mean by good and bad? If he thinks x or y about
pleasure and pain (and what produces them), about fame and
disgrace, about death and life, then it shouldn’t shock or
surprise you when he does x or y.
In fact, I’ll remind myself that he has no real choice.- Remember: you shouldn’t be surprised that a fig tree
produces figs, nor the world what it produces. A good doctor
isn’t surprised when his patients have fevers, or a helmsman
when the wind blows against him. - Remember that to change your mind and to accept
correction are free acts too. The action is yours, based on
your own will, your own decision—and your own mind. - If it’s in your control, why do you do it? If it’s in
someone else’s, then who are you blaming? Atoms? The
gods? Stupid either way.
Blame no one. Set people straight, if you can. If not, just
repair the damage. And suppose you can’t do that either.
Then where does blaming people get you?
No pointless actions.