This quote is early in book one of Meditations, “Debts and Lessons”, and reads like something right out of the 21st century. Our society is actively moving counter to this advice with the rise of online betting, prediction markets, victim culture, cancel culture, and all forms of social media where slander is commonplace and expected. There is some comfort in knowing many of today’s issues are timeless, albeit cold, cold comfort.
Book one’s dedications are wonderful and full of healthy advice. When I finished reading it, I wondered how I would like to be remembered. The opening line of “My Grandfather Verus” is what I’d aspire to: “Character and self-control.” I need more of that. Reading Meditations helps.