People often irritate or frustrate us, leading to conflicts that can harm relationships. Stoic philosophy teaches the distinction between what we can control and what we cannot. While we cannot dictate others' actions, we can choose our responses. Marcus Aurelius emphasized awareness of our limitations, understanding that people act based on their perceptions of right and wrong. Instead of being surprised by others' behaviors, acknowledging their feelings and expressing our own can help navigate these interactions more effectively, allowing for healthier communication and resolutions.
When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: The people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly. They are like this because they can't tell good from evil . . . You can hold your breath until you turn blue, but they'll still go on doing it.
When someone acts badly toward you, remember that he acts that way because he thinks it is right. It is not possible for him to act according to your judgment, but only according to his.
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