“Be like the promontory against which the waves continually break; it stands firm, and the waters around it are calmed.”Marcus Aurelius · Gânduri către sine · 180 · Cartea IV, 49
Don't fight the waves; stand firm and the agitation settles on its own.
The rock does not defend itself against the waves nor hate them; it simply remains, and the waves break and withdraw on their own. Marcus Aurelius suggests that firm patience is stronger than retaliation. In a family quarrel, the one who does not escalate in tone but stays calm and clear stops the escalation more surely than any shouted argument.
Why it matters It is a practical model for anyone dealing with aggressive people or constant pressure.