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April 25th

THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING WRONG

“If anyone can prove and show to me that I think and act in error, I

will gladly change it—for I seek the truth, by which no one has

ever been harmed. The one who is harmed is the one who abides

in deceit and ignorance.”

—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 6.21

omeone once attempted to argue with the philosopher Cicero by
quoting something he had said or written. This person claimed Cicero
was saying one thing now but had believed something different in the past.
His response: “I live from one day to the next! If something strikes me as
probable, I say it; and that is how, unlike everyone else, I remain a free
agent.”
No one should be ashamed at changing his mind—that’s what the mind
is for. “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds,” Emerson
said, “adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.” That’s why
we go to such lengths to learn and expose ourselves to wisdom. It would be
embarrassing if we didn’t end up finding out if we were wrong in the past.
Remember: you’re a free agent. When someone points out a legitimate
flaw in your belief or in your actions, they’re not criticizing you. They’re
presenting a better alternative. Accept it!