Are they saying that it’ll never happen? That you are never allowed to fail or fuck up? Of course not. But what Marcus is saying – EXPLICITLY SAYING – is the opposite of your lame little rationalization.

No, he is not. Explicitly saying would have been something along the lines of “Don’t do these things..” Explicit means “clear”.

What he said was “Never regard as good..” It’s simultaneously a warning to choose decisions wisely and to know the implications of those decisions. Sometimes people choose lesser/greater evils – even Stoics. Seneca spoke in favor of Nero to the Senate, when he knew that was dishonest.

You’ve mentioned this before, trying to live so there’s nothing you’d be ashamed or unable to justify to someone else. Do you think you’re getting better at it?

I read the Meditations on your recommendation and loved it, but it’s not something I can just recall when the need arises to keep me on the right track. How do you make the jump from knowing what the problem is to actually fixing it?

I know how you feel. We always look back on our internal logic just wondering what the hell happened in some circumstances. I like your way of looking at it. It’s so hard to differentiate between justification and genuine reason unless it’s too late. If you learn to understand your motivations behind actions – the rudder steering the ship, so to speak – it makes it easier to make that change.

Another thing I have found is just to genuinely recognize weakness (for me, personal finance and people-pleasing) and combat it actively in my self-talk or learn to improve it by introducing accountability. My 2c.

He is explicitly saying don’t do things that make you betray trust, that make you feel ashamed, or you feel like your should hide. It’s advice that is at the core of stoic doctrine.

I don’t necessarily see that quotation as saying “Don’t do that.” More like.. “See the not-good consequences as well and make your decision accordingly.”

There’s a difference between closed doors and doors you’re trying to keep locked.