why do the thing
“17. If the choice rests with thee, why do the thing? if with another, whom dost thou blame? Atoms or Gods? To do either would be crazy folly. No one is to blame. For if thou canst, set the offender right. Failing that, at least set the thing itself right. If that too be impracticable, what purpose is served by imputing blame? For without a purpose nothing should be done.”
Marcus Aurelius Book VIII
Εἰ μὲν ἐπὶ:σοί, τί αὐτὸ ποιεῖς; εἰ δὲ ἐπ̓ ἄλλῳ, τίνι μέμφῃ; ταῖς ἀτόμοις ἢ τοῖς θεοῖς; ἀμφότερα μανιώδη. Οὐδενὶ μεμπτέον. εἰ μὲν γὰρ δύνασαι, διόρθωσον: εἰ δὲ τοῦτο μὴ δύνασαι, τό γε πρᾶγμα αὐτό: εἰ δὲ μηδὲ τοῦτο, πρὸς τί ἔτι σοι φέρει τὸ μέμψασθαι; εἰκῇ γὰρ οὐδὲν ποιητέον.
“If it’s in your control, why do you do it? If it’s 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 the blaming people get you?
No pointless actions.
Book Eight
Marcus Aurelius (meditations)
3 Marcus Aurelius
A free copy of Marcus Aurelius Meditations is available here & here.
