“Philosophy calls for simple living, but not for penance- it’s quite possible to be simple without being crude.”
- Seneca, Moral Letters
Marcus’s meditations are filled with self criticism and so are the other writings of the stoics. It’s important to remember, however, that that’s as far as it goes. There was no self flagellation, no paying penance, no self esteem issues from guilt or self loathing. You never hear call themselves worthless pieces of crap, nor do they ever starve or cut themselves as punishment. Their self criticism is constructive.
Laying into yourself, unduly depriving yourself, punishing yourself- that’s self flagellation, not self improvement.
No need to be too hard on yourself. Hold yourself to a higher standard but not an impossible one. And forgive yourself if and when you slip up.
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