Judge Not, Lest Ye Be Judged

“When philosophy is wielded with arrogance and stubbornly, it is the cause for the ruin of many. Let philosophy scrape off your own faults, rather than be a way to rail against the faults of others.”

SENECA, MORAL LETTERS, 103.4b-5a

Philosophy is a chance to improve ourselves. It is not a chance to improve other people — that’s for them to sort out, and it’s really none of our business anyway, and a massive waste of time and energy. This is the essence of today’s chapter in The Daily Stoic.

We must strive to become masters of our own domain. We must ensure that our choices don’t impinge on the right of others to make their own choices. Whatever they choose, that’s nothing that we should try to influence. And instead of spending time arrogantly pointing out their mistakes, we need to recognize our own faults.

If we’re trying to understand something, philosophy teaches us that we’ll find the truth by looking in the mirror instead of looking at other people. The answer lies within, not without. Passing judgment on others is pointless and will bear no fruit. As the old saying goes, “judge not, lest ye be judged.” Focus on yourself, and let others focus on themselves.

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