“You shouldn’t give circumstances the power to rouse anger, for they don’t care at all.”
MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 7.38
Today, author Ryan Holiday helps us understand that the quote above is actually taken from a play that Marcus was quoting from. He did that often, apparently, because his goal in writing “Meditations” was to help himself with his daily practice via whatever source inspired and guided him, and not necessarily to write a 100% original book.
Today’s quote reminds us that we shouldn’t get mad at the situation, because the situation isn’t conscious and even if it was, it wouldn’t care what we think. Situations and events are much bigger than our puny little desires and tantrums, so it’s kind of futile to get upset at them. Kind of how it’s pointless to get mad at someone else’s stinky armpits (which is also something Marcus said, believe it or not). It has no impact, no effect, and there’s no value in being upset about it because it won’t change anything.
Anger is not a gift, as we’ve learned. It’s only harmful, only detrimental. So instead we must set aside the situation and accept that sometimes circumstances are fully outside of our control. When we accept that, and ultimately let go of our desire to control events, we begin to be free.
