I don't understand how anyone could have taken this seriously back then? And how it's being seriously discussed now. :D
Added 16 minutes later
I would also like to warn Marcus Aurelius not to insert his opinion everywhere. The opinions of outside observers, who know what is best for whom, are not of interest to anyone here. This does not mean that nothing can be written, but one must know moderation. There is a good saying about another person's monastery, and it fits here perfectly.