| "Whenever you are about to find fault with someone, ask yourself the following question: What fault of mine most nearly resembles the one I am about to criticize?" |
... so suggests Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius in his Meditations (X.30). Alternative translations:
- "When thou art offended at any man's fault, forthwith turn to thyself and reflect in what manner thou doest error thyself." ([1] and [2], trans. George Long, 1862)
- "When you are offended with any one for some misbehaviour, turn your thoughts on your own conduct, and consider, whether you yourself are not sometimes guilty of some similar misconduct." (trans. R. Graves, 1792)
- "When thou art offended with any man's transgression, presently reflect upon thyself; and consider what thou thyself art guilty of in the same kind." ([3], trans. Méric Casaubon, 1792)
(cf InsideTheInnerCitadel (2002-10-15), Emperor's Handbook (2011-10-07), ...) - ^z - 2020-03-05