It’s About What You Do (And Don’t Do)
The Daily Stoic
Daily Stoic | Backyard Ventures
4.5 • 5.3K Ratings
🗓️ 23 August 2019
⏱️ 3 minutes
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Summary
“If it is not right, do not do it,” Marcus Aurelius wrote, “if it is not true, do not say it.” But it’s worth pointing out that as a philosophy, Stoicism demands more of us than just this negative. As Marcus would also point out, “Often injustice lies in what you aren’t doing, not only in what you are doing.”
So, first, do not lie. But, second, sitting by and allowing a lie to stand? These can both be injustices. No Stoic would argue that fraud is permissible. But what if you witness fraud? What if you suspect a fraud is occurring at your work or in your industry or in government? Nassim Taleb bridges these two quotes from Marcus perfectly: “If you see fraud and do not say fraud, you are a fraud.”
Be the person that stands up. Be the person that lends a hand. Be the person that actively does good, that is courageous and generous. It’s not enough to simply not do wrong. We are called to do more than that, we are held to a higher standard. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” is the line. It’s true. Don’t turn a blind eye. Don’t make it someone else’s problem.
Do the right thing. The rest doesn’t matter.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hey, prime members, you can listen to the Daily Stoke podcast early and add free on Amazon music. Download the app today. |
| 0:13.6 | Welcome to the Daily Stoke. For each day, we read a short passage designed to help you cultivate the strength, insight, wisdom necessary for living good life. |
| 0:23.3 | Each one of these passages is based on the 2000 year old philosophy that has guided some of history's greatest men and women. For more, you can visit us at DailyStoic.com. |
| 0:36.3 | It's about what you do and don't do. If it's not right, do not do it. Marcus really wrote, if it's not true, do not say it. |
| 0:46.3 | But it's worth pointing out that as a philosophy, stoicism demands more of us than just this negative. As Marcus also points out, often justice in lies in what you aren't doing, not only in what you are doing. |
| 0:59.3 | So first, do not lie. But second, sitting by and allowing a lie to stand, these can both be injustices. No Stoke would argue that fraud is permissible. |
| 1:09.3 | But what if you witness fraud? What if you suspect a fraud is occurring at your work or in your industry or in the government? |
| 1:16.3 | Nassim Taleb bridges these two quotes from Marcus Aurelius perfectly when he says, if you see fraud and do not say fraud, you are a fraud. |
| 1:26.3 | Be the person that stands up. Be the person that lends a hand. Be the person that actively does good, that is courageous and generous. |
| 1:35.3 | It's not enough to simply not do wrong. We are called to do more than that. We are held to a higher standard. In justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere is the line. And it's true. Don't turn a blind eye. Don't make it someone else's problem. Do the right thing. The rest doesn't matter. |
| 1:58.3 | If you're liking this podcast, we would love for you to subscribe. Please leave us a review on iTunes or any of your favorite podcast listening apps. It really helps and tell a friend. |
| 2:28.3 | Thank you. |
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