The iron law of history is that people do dumb things. 

They behave this way for many reasons: Ignorance. Fear. Bad habits. Because they’ve been corrupted. Because they are ordinary people with flaws, just like that. Because they are in pain. 

There is nothing like a pandemic to put a spotlight on these people and these reasons. We see their pictures on the news. We read their nasty comments on social media. And it’s frustrating and it’s distressing. Because they aren’t just putting themselves at risk, but others. It’s easier to accept someone driving without a seatbelt (which affects them) and someone who speeds (which endangers others). 

But this is a reality of life. People will speed. They will speed, not wear a seatbelt, and be combative and mean. They will do this, cause an accident, and still blame everyone but themselves. That’s just how it is. 

What can we do? Well, one thing we shouldn’t do is say, “Screw it. If they’re gonna behave that way I will too.” The other is that we have to be calm and rational in response. The only thing that causes more distress than dumb people out there is being caught off guard by dumb people. That’s why Marcus Aurelius prepared himself in the morning for the rude and the surly, the jealous and the arrogant and the dishonest. He knew there would be wrongdoers out there—some malicious, but most not—and he didn’t let himself get shaken when he experienced it. 

So all we can do is carry on. Not let it make us bitter. Not let it make us afraid. And do the best we can do to be good (and smart) despite all the stupidity.

P.S. This was originally sent on August 7, 2020. Sign up today for the Daily Stoic’s email and get our popular free 7-day course on Stoicism.