【每日斯多葛】2026年7月23日

July 23rd

RECEIVE HONORS AND SLIGHTS EXACTLY THE SAME WAY

“Receive without pride, let go without attachment.”—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 8.33

In the midst of the breakdown of the Roman Republic, during the civil war between Pompey and Caesar, Pompey made the decision to give control of the military fleet to Cato. It was a massive honor and hugely powerful position. But then a few days later, responding to the protests of his jealous inner circle, Pompey reversed his decision and took the command away.

It could have been seen as an enormous public humiliation—to be given a promotion and then have it taken away. The record shows that Cato’s reaction was basically nothing. He responded to the honor and the dishonor the same way: with indifference and acceptance. He certainly didn’t let it affect his support for the cause. In fact, after the snub, he worked to rally the soldiers before battle with inspirational speeches—the very men who should have been under his command.

That’s what Marcus is saying. Do not take the slights of the day personally—or the exciting rewards and recognitions either, especially when duty has assigned you an important cause. Trivial details like the rise and fall of your position say nothing about you as a person. Only your behavior—as Cato’s did—will.

7月23日

以完全相同的方式接受荣誉与轻慢

“接受而不要骄傲，放手而不要执着。”——马可·奥勒留，《沉思录》，8.33

在罗马共和国瓦解之际，在庞培与凯撒之间的内战期间，庞培决定把军舰舰队的控制权交给加图。这是一项巨大的荣誉，也是一个权力极大的职位。但几天后，由于他那个嫉妒心很强的小圈子提出抗议，庞培又改变了决定，收回了这项指挥权。

这本可以被看作一种巨大的公开羞辱——先被提拔，然后又被拿走。记录显示，加图的反应基本上是什么也没有。他以同样的方式回应荣誉与羞辱：淡然，并接受。他当然没有让这件事影响自己对事业的支持。事实上，在遭到冷落之后，他仍然努力在战前用鼓舞人心的演说来召集士兵——这些人本来应该是在他指挥之下的。

这就是马可所说的意思。不要把一天之中的轻慢当成针对你个人的事——那些令人兴奋的奖赏和认可也不要这样看，尤其是在职责已经把一项重要事业交给你的时候。职位的升降这样琐碎的细节，不能说明你作为一个人到底怎样。只有你的行为能说明这一点——正如加图的行为所说明的那样。