In both ancient Rome and modern America, people have been tempted to talk rather than take action. The allure of philosophizing instead of living by those philosophies is a common trap. In today's society obsessed with content, outrage, and drama, it's even easier to become lost in the echo chamber of hypothetical debates about what's "better." We can spend endless hours discussing right and wrong and how to encourage others to improve. We can even argue about the meaning of certain statements. However, this is all a distraction. If you want to make the world a better place, there's a lot you can do. But only one thing will truly make an impact: step away from the argument, dig yourself out of the rubble, and stop wasting time on hypotheticals. Instead, be the change you want to see in the world.
This quote by Marcus Aurelius means that instead of wasting time debating what a good person should be like, one should focus on becoming a good person. In other words, embodying good values and principles is more important than just talking about them.
For example, imagine two friends discussing the qualities of a good leader. One argues that a good leader must be honest and empathetic, while the other insists that a good leader must be confident and assertive. Rather than continuing the argument, they could both focus on improving their leadership skills and embodying the qualities they believe are important. By being honest, empathetic, confident, and assertive in their own lives, they can become good leaders and positively impact those around them.
Best of luck,
Annie@calendarmind 😘
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