【每日斯多葛】2026年7月17日

July 17th

DON’T ABANDON OTHERS . . . OR YOURSELF

“As you move forward along the path of reason, people will stand in your way. They will never be able to keep you from doing what’s sound, so don’t let them knock out your goodwill for them. Keep a steady watch on both fronts, not only for well-based judgments and actions, but also for gentleness with those who would obstruct our path or create other difficulties. For getting angry is also a weakness, just as much as abandoning the task or surrendering under panic. For doing either is an equal desertion—the one by shrinking back and the other by estrangement from family and friend.”—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 11.9

As we begin to make progress in our lives, we’ll encounter the limitations of the people around us. It’s like a diet. When everyone is eating unhealthy, there is a kind of natural alignment. But if one person starts eating healthy, suddenly there are opposing agendas. Now there’s an argument about where to go for dinner.

Just as you must not abandon your new path simply because other people may have a problem with it, you must not abandon those other folks either. Don’t simply write them off or leave them in the dust. Don’t get mad or fight with them. After all, they’re at the same place you were not long ago.

7月17日

不要抛弃别人……也不要抛弃自己

“当你沿着理性的道路前进时，人们会挡在你的路上。他们永远无法阻止你去做健全正确的事，所以不要让他们夺走你对他们的善意。你要在两个方面都保持稳定的警觉：不仅要保持有充分根据的判断和行动，也要对那些阻碍我们道路或制造其他困难的人保持温和。因为发怒也是一种软弱，就像放弃任务或在恐慌中投降一样。做这两者中的任何一种，都是同样的背弃——一种是退缩，另一种是与家人和朋友疏离。”——马可·奥勒留，《沉思录》，11.9

当我们开始在人生中取得进步时，我们会遇到身边人的局限。这就像节食一样。当所有人都吃得不健康时，大家之间有一种天然的一致。但如果有一个人开始健康饮食，突然之间就出现了相互对立的安排。现在，连去哪里吃晚饭都会变成争论。

正如你不能仅仅因为别人对你的新道路有意见，就放弃这条道路一样，你也不能抛弃那些人。不要简单地把他们一笔勾销，或把他们远远甩在身后。不要生气，也不要和他们争斗。毕竟，不久以前，你也正处在他们现在所在的位置。