“If it is not right, do not do it; if it is not true don’t say it.”

By: Marcus Aurelius

This statement given to us by Aurelius means that you should always think of what is right. Essentially we all think of what we do before we actually do it. This statement gives us an example of what to think of while contemplating our actions beforehand. For example, he mentions how we shouldn’t do anything that isn’t right. So before doing anything we, consciously, think of what we are going to do and whether it’s right or not. For example, your friends want you to steal. You know that it is wrong to steal because that is what you were taught your whole life. The time comes when it is actually time to commit the crime and you decide not to because that is not the right thing to do. That is a example to choosing the right and obeying the statement. Know that it doesn’t only come down to choosing the right but saying what’s right as well. An example of this would be when you come home late from school. Your mom asks you why you’re home so late if school ended five hours ago. You think of saying that you were staying to do homework when really you went to a friend’s house and did not even look at your homework. Instead of lying, like you were initially planning to do, you tell her the truth because you know it would be wrong to say something if it is not true. Sincerely, This quote is true but there are just those times when you have to throw in a fib to avoid any upcoming difficulties.