The human condition. Marcus Aurelius 4.3.2

Marcus discusses how to solve human problems. Sometimes we need to consider the big picture: the universe and our place in it, as just one of many transient animals. Other times, we have to look at something smaller: relationships with other people, inside societies with unique culture and expectations. Sometimes, the problem lies in our own mind, or body, and must be handled there. Know how to operate at all levels.

τίνι γὰρ δυσχερανεῖς; τῇ τῶν ἀνθρώπων κακίᾳ; ἀναλογισάμενος τὸ κρῖμα, ὅτι τὰ λογικὰ ζῷα ἀλλήλων ἕνεκεν γέγονε καὶ ὅτι τὸ ἀνέχεσθαι μέρος τῆς δικαιοσύνης καὶ ὅτι ἄκοντες ἁμαρτάνουσι καὶ πόσοι ἤδη διεχθρεύσαντες, ὑποπτεύσαντες, μισήσαντες, διαδορατισθέντες ἐκτέτανται, τετέφρωνται, παύου ποτέ. ἀλλὰ καὶ τοῖς ἐκ τῶν ὅλων ἀπονεμομένοις δυσχερανεῖς; ἀνανεωσάμενος τὸ διεζευγμένον τό· ἤτοι πρόνοια ἢ ἄτομοι, καὶ ἐξ ὅσων ἀπεδείχθη ὅτι ὁ κόσμος ὡσανεὶ πόλις. ἀλλὰ τὰ σωματικά σου ἅψεται ἔτι; ἐννοήσας ὅτι οὐκ ἐπιμίγνυται λείως ἢ τραχέως κινουμένῳ πνεύματι ἡ διάνοια, ἐπειδὰν ἅπαξ ἑαυτὴν ἀπολάβῃ καὶ γνωρίσῃ τὴν ἰδίαν ἐξουσίαν, καὶ λοιπὸν ὅσα περὶ πόνου καὶ ἡδονῆς ἀκήκοας καὶ συγκατέθου.

What irks you? Is it the wickedness of men in general? Consider our situation, breaking it down to essentials. We are rational animals that exist because of one another, for one another. Each of us holds fast to his own little piece of justice. Each falls into error against his will. How many of us have already fallen, laid low in enmity, suspicion, and hatred—felled by the spear, and their corpses burned to ash. Consider this, and give it a rest. But perhaps something smaller bothers you? Time to put together what we have broken down. Start from first concepts or atoms, and add as many as you need for the entire world, as you would if you were building a city. Maybe the problem comes from the body? In that case, remember that once it becomes aware of its own power, the mind is not moved with a breath light or heavy. Other bodily aches you should attend by applying what you have learned about toil and pleasure.