Idea
How does Marcus Aurelius suggest dealing with difficult people?
Short answer
At the start of Book II of Meditations, Marcus Aurelius reminds himself that he will encounter ungrateful, arrogant or deceitful people. He prepares to act rationally and remember that human beings need cooperation.
Book II opens with specific preparation for a new day: we will encounter behavior that irritates us. Marcus Aurelius places that irritation among foreseeable events, then reminds himself of human connections. He uses the image of body parts working together to reflect on cooperation. One modern application is to separate behavior needing attention from a conclusion about the whole person. When a colleague misses a deadline, explain its impact, agree on a new date and ask for accountability. Anger need not become an insult. Kindness can accompany clear boundaries. Before a difficult discussion, identify the issue, speak through specific facts and choose a suitable response. The workplace example is this article’s practical interpretation; its basis in the book is the reminder about shared humanity at the start of Book II.
