But we certainly control what we do.
We don't control that they lie. We don't control that they abuse power, that they cheat on their spouses, that they attack or persecute, or that they spread misinformation. But we certainly control whether we do those things. Or rather, that we don't do those things.
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn lived through terrible tyranny and refused to let it corrupt him. He knew it was impossible for one person to fight pervasive evil and corruption. Still, he said, our duty was simple. Our creed must be:
“
Let the lie come into the world, let it even triumph. But not through me.
ALEKSANDR SOLZHENITSYN
We must resist the moral inversion that celebrates selfishness and rewards dishonesty. We must resist the cultural forces that encourage cruelty and degrade the truth. By insisting on what's right. By acting right. By living with virtue.
Others will do what they will. We will not.
TRY THIS TODAY
Think of one small dishonesty that has become normal around you. Decide today that it won't come through you.
Much of what I've learned about Stoicism comes from Ryan Holiday. Find more of his writing at dailystoic.com and ryanholiday.net.
While I have edited much of this content, there are some cases where I have taken Ryan Holiday's words directly. I've included them because I think they are powerful and will be helpful for you. They are also helpful for me, and I've put them here so I can learn and understand more myself.
Visit Daily Stoic