How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter)
Quote #10
In short, the good and honest man should have the same effect as the unwashed—anyone close by as he passes detects the aura, willy-nilly at once. (11.15)
Marcus chooses a strange example to illustrate the transparency that belongs to the truly honest man. And while we may disagree that an honest man is like a stinky one, we take the point. Virtue should never be hidden (or shown off); it should be something we can detect simply by looking at a person.
Quote #11
Wanting the bad man not to do wrong is like wanting the fig-tree not to produce rennet in its figs, babies not to cry, horses not to neigh, or any other inevitable fact of nature. What else can he do with a state of mind like this? So if you are really keen, cure his state. (12.16)
Here's an interesting interpretation of human behavior. Marcus puts the fault on himself for any pain he might experience at the hands of bad people. He should have known it was coming, since a person who is bad cannot possibly be up to good. If he wants to see something better from a person with a bad nature, that person has to be changed. The good thing is that Marcus thinks this is possible—and the responsibility for this type of person's reformation lies in the hands of those who are good.