June 22
How much leisure he gains who does not look to what his neighbour says, does or thinks — but only to what he himself does, that it be just and good.
Meditations IV,18
Who Should Ride?
How much leisure he gains who does not look to what his neighbour says, does or thinks — but only to what he himself does, that it be just and good.
A miller and his son wanted to sell their donkey at the market. So that it would arrive fresh, they tied its feet together and carried it. The first passer-by burst out laughing.
They set the animal down. Now the son rode and the father went on foot. Three merchants thought it shameful that the boy should let himself be carried while the old man had to walk.
They swapped. Soon they met some girls who mocked the father: he sat there in comfort while his son limped along behind. So he pulled the boy up beside him onto the donkey's back.
The next people they met lamented the poor animal under its double load.
In the end both of them walked. Again someone came by. Were they trying to wear out their shoes to spare the donkey?
The miller declared that from now on he would go by his own judgement, whether people praised him for it or blamed him.
