When someone does something that offends you, first think about whether they were “right” to do this, Aurelius writes. What he means is that, were they “right” in the moral sense, regardless of if it’s against what you want. If what they’ve done is morally and socially acceptable, then you have to be at peace with that mistake.

If, however, they behave in a morally reprehensible way, then first assume that their actions are based in ignorance. Any action you take, whether it’s punishment or chastising them, needs to be done in an educational way.