"Un malfaiteur est souvent celui qui n'a pas fait quelque chose, pas toujours celui qui a fait quelque chose."
— Marcus Aurelius
Simplified Meaning:
Sometimes people can make mistakes not by doing something bad, but by failing to do what they should have done. For example, imagine a student who doesn’t help a classmate who is being bullied. The student isn’t actively participating in the bullying, but by not stepping in to help, they are still doing something wrong. In everyday life, if someone sees litter on the ground and doesn’t pick it up, they contribute to a dirty environment. They didn’t litter themselves, but their inaction contributes to the problem. This idea teaches us that being a good person isn’t just about avoiding bad actions like lying or stealing. It’s also about taking positive actions, like helping others and keeping our surroundings clean. So, next time you see someone who needs help or a situation that requires action, take the initiative. Doing nothing can be just as harmful as doing something bad.