---
title: Never ever complain about anything
created: 2024-11-18T09:18:12
modified: 2026-02-12T21:12:30
---

> “Everything that happens is either endurable or not. If it’s endurable, then endure it. Stop complaining. If it’s unendurable … then stop complaining. Your destruction will mean its end as well. Just remember: you can endure anything your mind can make endurable, by treating it as in your interest to do so. In your interest, or in your nature.” — Marcus Aurelius

> “He who blames others has a long way to go on his journey. He who blames himself is halfway there. He who blames no one has arrived.”
> 
> 「怨人者途遠，責己者行半，無戾者已至，此之謂也。」—《左傳 》

> “I have a rule: no complaining about a situation unless you’re prepared to do something to make it better. If you see a problem and you don’t come to the table with a potential solution, I don’t want to hear your whining about how bad it is. It couldn’t be that bad if it hasn’t motivated you to try to fix it.” — Arnold Schwarzenegger, [Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life](https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/146509961)

---

[Don’t complain about anything. If it’s within your control, go do something about it (either change the situation or change your attitude.). If it’s not, complaining is just a waste of energy. When you complain, you’re giving too much power to the thing. Take back that power.](https://x.com/SahilBloom/status/1761376505874219427)

---

The person who has the most to do with what happens to you is you. Whatever it is, it’s your fault. Take the extreme ownership. (扛全責/負起所有責任) Nobody owes you anything at all. Develop a no-excuses mindset.

> “Excuses are the rocks where our dreams are crushed.” — Tim Fargo

* When something goes wrong, own it, fix it, and prevent it from happening again.
* Never make excuses. Excuses don’t get results.
* As soon as I catch myself blaming anyone for anything, I decide it’s my fault/responsibility.
* **Remember: You give power to who you blame. Never give your power to anyone else.**

---

# If it’s always someone else’s fault, it’s probably your fault.

[If you meet a jerk once a month, you’ve met a jerk. If you meet jerks every day, you’re a jerk.](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/02/opinion/david-brooks-life-hacks.html)

---

[Cynacism](cynicism.md)