The soul of man does violence to itself

Notes on Meditations 2.16

2.16

One way to pursue happiness is to go after it directly.

Another way is to simply avoid unhappiness. Marcus Aurelius gives himself four rules to do just that in 2.16.

2.16

The soul of man does violence to itself, first of all, when it becomes an abscess and, as it were, a tumour on the universe, so far as it can.

To be vexed at anything that happens is a separation of ourselves from nature, in some part of which the natures of all things are contained.

In the next place, the soul does violence to itself when it turns away from any man, or even moves towards him with the intention of injuring, such as are the souls of those who are angry.

In the third place, the soul does violence to itself when it is overpowered by pleasure or by pain.

Fourthly, when it allows any act of its own and any movement to be without an aim, and does anything thoughtlessly and without considering what it is, it being right that even the smallest things be done with reference to an end; and the end of rational animals is to follow the reason and the law of the most ancient city and polity.

Notes

Here are four ways to be unhappy.

• First, be frustrated at whatever happens.

• Second, do not live well with other people.

• Third, let yourself be overpowered by pleasure or pain.

• Finally, do things without purpose.

Let’s take these in reverse.