Stoic Snippets 220

When you are offended with any man's shameless conduct, immediately ask yourself, "Is it possible, then, that shameless men should not be in the world?" 

It is not possible. 

Do not, then, require what is impossible. For this man also is one of those shameless men who must of necessity be in the world. 

Let the same considerations be present to your mind in the case of the knave, and the faithless man, and of every man who does wrong in any way. 

For at the same time that you do remind yourself that it is impossible that such kind of men should not exist, you will become more kindly disposed towards every one individually. 

—Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 9.42 

IMAGE: Joos de Momper the Younger, Sodom and Gomorrah (c. 1600)