--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: 17. If a thing is in your own power, why…" description: "\"“17. If a thing is in your own power, why do you do it? But if it is in the power of another, whom do you blame? The atoms (chance) or the gods? Both a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a8/marcus-aurelius-139_quote_17-if-a-thing-is-in-your-own-power-why-d_724342.jpg" --- # 17. If a thing is in your own power, why do you do it? But… ![“17. If a thing is in your own power, why do you do it? But if it is in the power of another, whom do you blame? The atoms (chance) or the gods? Both are foolish. You must blame nobody. For if you can, correct that which is the cause; but if you cannot do this, correct at least the thing itself…” quote by Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a8/marcus-aurelius-139_quote_17-if-a-thing-is-in-your-own-power-why-d_724342.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a8/marcus-aurelius-139_quote_17-if-a-thing-is-in-your-own-power-why-d_724342.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a8/marcus-aurelius-139_quote_17-if-a-thing-is-in-your-own-power-why-d_724342.jpg) > ““17. If a thing is in your own power, why do you do it? But if it is in the power of another, whom do you blame? The atoms (chance) or the gods? Both are foolish. You must blame nobody. For if you can, correct that which is the cause; but if you cannot do this, correct at least the thing itself; but if you cannot do even this, of what use is it to you to find fault? For nothing should be done without a purpose.”” [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage urges personal responsibility: focus on what you can control, improve causes rather than blame, and act only with purpose. **In simple terms:** Take charge of what you can, avoid blame, act purposefully. Key Takeaway Control what you can, improve causes, act purposefully. Themes responsibility control purpose self‑improvement Mood reflective determined calm Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal decision making - leadership - conflict resolution - self‑development - team management Key Concepts Stoicism agency causality Questions to Reflect On - How can you identify what is truly within your control? - What purpose guides your daily actions? A Different Perspective If external factors dominate, responsibility may be limited. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [He is foolish to blame the sea that is shipwrecked twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/he-is-foolish-to-blame-the-sea-that-is-shipwrecked-twice/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [“When I talk about responsibility, I am really talking about having power. Blame is about giving away one’s power. Responsibility gives us the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-l-hay/when-i-talk-about-responsibility-i-am-really-talking-about-having/) [Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-hay/) > [“It is so tempting to blame those with whom we are in conflict. 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But perhaps he has not done wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/if-any-man-has-done-wrong-the-harm-is-his-own-but-perhaps-he-has-not/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Pray look upon the plants and birds, the ants, spiders, and bees, and you will see them all exerting their nature, and busy in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/pray-look-upon-the-plants-and-birds-the-ants-spiders-and-bees-and-you/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [“We should remark the grace and fascination that there is even in the incidentals of Nature's processes.. When a loaf of bread,. for instance,.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/we-should-remark-the-grace-and-fascination-that-there-is-even-in-the/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [My true Self is free. 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So I try to choose the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-aronofsky/i-try-to-live-my-life-where-i-end-up-at-a-point-where-i-have-no/) [Darren Aronofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-aronofsky/) > [How come you don't feel that magic in the air? I guess I knew you'll never be there. I guess I knew you never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/how-come-you-don-t-feel-that-magic-in-the-air-i-guess-i-knew-you-ll/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I am down mentally. I can't understand how it happened and who is to blame? 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