Handling malicious words and deeds.

Chapter XLII, Enchiridion

When any person does ill by you, or speaks ill of you, remember that he acts or speaks from an impression that it is right for him to do so. Now it is not possible that he should follow what appears right to you, but only what appears so to himself. Therefore, if he judges from false appearances, he is the person hurt, since he, too, is the person deceived. For if anyone takes a true proposition to be false, the proposition is not hurt, but only the man is deceived. Setting out, then, from these principles, you will meekly bear with a person who reviles you, for you will say upon every occasion, “It seemed so to him.”

Thoughts

a. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Everyone is entitled to be wrong.

b. The reviled views you through his lens or perception. The impression he has formed of you is very subjective.

c. What is right for you, is not necessarily right for him given his life experiences and thought process.

c. If he forms an impression or opinion on you from false appearances or facts, he too is deceived and hurt. Made an incorrect call on falsehoods.

d. Taking a truth and regarding it as false also deceives the person who forms the opinion or does ill.

e. You must ‘meekly’ bear with the person who reviles or does ill to you. It is only that person’s opinion/perception.

f. Handle abuse or poor treatment , ‘it seems so to him’. His beliefs are not fact merely impressions.

g. Peoples actions or opinions are outside your power and control. Consequently, not worthy of reaction, anger or action.

h. How to handle abuse and bad treatment. Meekly, no anger or emotion. Calmness and humility. Keep the ego out of the incident.