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August  31st

CONSIDER    YOUR    FAILINGS    TOO

“Whenever   you take    offense at  someone’s   wrongdoing, immediately turn    to  your    own similar

failings,   such    as  seeing  money   as  good,   or  pleasure,   or  a   little  fame—whatever   form    it  takes.  By

thinking    on  this,   you’ll  quickly forget  your    anger,  considering also    what    compels them—for    what

else    could   they    do? Or, if  you are able,   remove  their   compulsion.”

—MARCUS AURELIUS,   MEDITATIONS,    10.30

arlier we were reminded of Socrates’s tolerant belief that “no one does wrong on purpose.” The
clearest proof of that hypothesis? All the times we did wrong without malice or intention. Remember
them? The time you were rude because you hadn’t slept in two days. The time you acted on bad
information. The time you got carried away, forgot, didn’t understand. The list goes on and on.
This is why it is so important not to write people off or brand them as enemies. Be as forgiving of
them as you are of yourself. Cut them the same slack you would for yourself so that you can continue to
work with them and make use of their talents.