Meditations XII.16

Another has given thee cause to think that he has done wrong: But how do I know that it is a wrong?²⁵ And even if he be guilty, suppose that his own heart has condemned him, and so he is as one who wounds his own face?

Note that he who would not have the wicked do wrong is as one who would not have the fig-tree secrete acrid juice²⁶ in its fruit, would not have babies cry, or the horse neigh, or have any other things be that must be. Why, what else can be expected from such a disposition? If then it chafes thee, cure the disposition.

• 25.See vii. 29; ix. 38.
• 26.See iv. 6.