Do big or important things and there will be haters. Do controversial things and there will be haters. Do good things and yes, there will probably still be haters. That’s how it is today and how it’s been for all of time.

The Stoic does two things when encountering hatred or ill opinion in others. They ask: Is this opinion inside my control? If there is a chance for influence or change this person’s opinion—with a conversation, with their actions, with a little more context or explanation—they take it. But if there isn’t, they accept this person as they are. They don’t hate a hater. They don’t throw more time after a lost cause. Our job is tough enough already. We don’t have time to think about what other people are thinking, even if it’s about us.

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