"دیگر وقت خود را صرف بحث درباره اینکه یک انسان خوب چگونه باید باشد نکنید. خودتان یکی باشید."

The quote is urging us to stop debating the nature of morality and goodness and instead focus on embodying those virtues ourselves. It's about taking action rather than getting lost in endless discussions.

This wisdom comes from Marcus Aurelius, a Roman Emperor and philosopher who lived in the 2nd century. His insights, part of the Stoic philosophy, were jotted down in his personal notes and later compiled into "Meditations." Imagine him, a leader of one of the greatest empires, sitting down at the end of a long day to remind himself of what's truly important. When you're in charge of an empire, you don't have the luxury of just talking — you have to act.

Let's bring this to life with a real-world example. Think about a community where people are constantly discussing how to improve their neighborhood. They hold meeting after meeting, debating the best ways to help, but nothing changes. Now, imagine one person in that community — let's call her Jane. Instead of getting stuck in discussions, Jane decides to take action. She starts small by organizing a neighborhood clean-up. Slowly, others join in. Before long, the community is transformed, not because they talked about it, but because they did something.

So, how can you apply this wisdom? Start by identifying one area in your life where you tend to discuss more than act. Maybe it's your health. You talk about wanting to get fit, read all the articles, and plan every detail, but never actually start exercising. Instead, just lace up your sneakers and go for a walk. It doesn't have to be perfect. The key is to move from intention to action.

Here's a relatable story to illustrate this: Imagine you're at a family gathering, and the conversation turns to the topic of being environmentally friendly. Everyone's got an opinion. Your uncle thinks the government should do more. Your cousin blames big corporations. You chime in with a few ideas of your own. But then you remember the quote. Instead of just talking, you decide to take action. You start by reducing your own plastic use, maybe bring your own bags to the grocery store or use a reusable water bottle. Your family notices, and some of them start to follow your lead. Over time, those small actions add up.

This isn't about grand gestures. It's about the small, everyday choices that define our character. The next time you catch yourself in a debate about what it means to be a good person, remember Marcus Aurelius. Instead of arguing, just be the person you aspire to be. Your actions will speak louder than any words ever could.