July 18th
EACH THE MASTER OF THEIR OWN DOMAIN
“My reasoned choice is as indifferent to the reasoned choice of my neighbor, as to his breath and body. However much we’ve been made for cooperation, the ruling reason in each of us is master of its own affairs. If this weren’t the case, the evil in someone else could become my harm, and God didn’t mean for someone else to control my misfortune.”—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 8.56
The foundation of a free country is that your freedom to swing your fist ends where someone else’s nose begins. That is, someone else is free to do what they like until it interferes with your physical body and space. This saying can work as a great personal philosophy as well.
But living that way will require two important assumptions. First, you ought to live your own life in such a way that it doesn’t negatively impose on others. Second, you have to be open-minded and accepting enough to let others do the same.
Can you do that? Even when you really, really disagree with the choices they’re making? Can you understand that their life is their business and yours is your own? And that you’ve got plenty to wrestle with yourself without bothering anyone else?
7月18日
每个人都是自己领域的主人
“我的理性选择与邻人的理性选择无关，正如它与他的呼吸和身体无关一样。无论我们在多大程度上是为合作而生，我们每个人内在的主宰理性，都是自己事务的主人。如果不是这样，别人身上的恶就可能成为对我的伤害；而神并不意在让别人控制我的不幸。”——马可·奥勒留，《沉思录》，8.56
一个自由国家的基础在于：你挥拳的自由，到别人的鼻子开始的地方为止。也就是说，别人有自由去做他们喜欢的事，直到这件事干扰到你的身体和空间为止。这句话也可以成为一种很好的个人哲学。
但要这样生活，需要两个重要前提。第一，你应当以一种不会对他人造成负面强加的方式来过自己的生活。第二，你必须足够开放、足够接纳，让别人也这样做。
你能做到吗？即使你真的、真的非常不同意他们正在做出的选择？你能理解他们的生活是他们自己的事，而你的生活是你自己的事吗？你能理解，你自己已经有太多的事情需要奋斗，根本没必要去打扰别人吗？
读要读顺口，写要写顺手， 擒字如擒虎，解句如解题。 |