Death Did Not Frighten Socrates
Duties are universally measured by relations. Is a man your father? That implies care and patiently receiving reproaches—even if he is a bad father. Is your natural tie to a good father? No, but to a father. If a brother is unjust, preserve your own just relation toward him. Consider not what he does, but what you are to do to keep your will conformable to nature.
Key Insight
Their failure is their column. Your relation names your duty before you grade their performance—and you are hurt when you consent to be hurt, not when injustice merely occurs.
“Is your natural tie, then, to a good father? No, but to a father.”Explore full theme analysis
