[One Thousand Characters a Day] Aurelius' "Meditations" <5>

Editor's NoteAsia Economy provides daily 1,000-character transcription content for the 'Harumanbo Harucheonja' newsletter readers. The transcription content is carefully selected according to daily and monthly themes from Eastern and Western classics, Korean literature, famous columns, and notable speeches. Today, we introduce a portion of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations over a total of five installments. Character count: 978.

What often surprises me is that although each person loves themselves more than others, they value others' thoughts more than their own. However, if a god or a teacher appeared to someone and taught them not to engrave or even think about the thoughts that arise but cannot be expressed aloud, that person would not endure even a single day. Yet, we show greater concern for how our neighbors think of us than for ourselves.

The gods, out of love for humans, arranged all things well, and a few people have used this to the greatest benefit, sharing divinity to the fullest and coming very close to the divine through pious acts and sacred rituals. But how can one neglect the single fact that once dead, one will never live again and will completely vanish? Even if one neglects this, keep in mind that the gods have guided us separately. If that is right, it must be possible, and if it is in accordance with nature, nature would have made it possible.

If you assume you do not neglect it, be certain that it will not happen and therefore should not be done. Questioning this should be seen as arguing with the gods. If the gods were not the best and most just, we would not argue with them in this way. If the gods are the best and just, then when arranging the universe, they would care about what is unjust and irrationally neglected.

Practice becoming accustomed even at the most despairing moments of achievement. The left hand, which is clumsy in all tasks due to lack of practice, is stronger than the right hand in controlling the reins. This is because the left hand has practiced this task.

Strip away the shell and consider the essence?that is, what is the purpose of action, what is pain, what is pleasure, what are death and fame. Reflect on who causes your anxiety, how a person is not disturbed by others, and that everything is an opinion.

- Aurelius, Meditations, translated by Kim Dong-hoon, Minumsa, 13,000 KRW