Marcus adds, though, that this change of opinion should always be motivated by the belief that it is not only true but also serves justice and the common welfare. We should not, in other words, be swayed by others, such as the silver-tongued Sophists, merely because it feels easier to adopt a more popular opinion. As a leader, in particular, Marcus believes he should change his course of action when he’s persuaded that another way would actually be better for everyone.
If you change your mind to please other people, sure enough, that’s a form of slavery. However, if it’s because you genuinely recognize that you were in error then the opposite is true — you’ve liberated yourself by admitting your mistake.
Knowing when it’s sensible to be quiet and listen to the experts requires humility.
Related
References
Robertson, D. J. (2022, February 15). The Virtue of Being Wrong. Stoicism — Philosophy as a Way of Life. https://medium.com/stoicism-philosophy-as-a-way-of-life/the-virtue-of-being-wrong-b115ed39d439