BOOK XI
Fifthly: That thou hast not even proved that they are doing wrong, for many things are done even 'by way of policy.'[1] Speaking generally a man must know many things before he can pronounce an adequate opinion on the acts of another.
Sixthly: When thou art above measure angry or even out of patience, bethink thee that man's life is momentary, and in a little while we shall all have been laid out.[2]
Seventhly: That in reality it is not the acts men do that vex us—for they belong to the domain of their ruling Reason—but the opinions we form of those acts.[3] Eradicate these, be ready to discard thy conclusion that the act in question is a calamity, and thine anger is at an end.[4] How then eradicate these opinions? By realizing that no act of another debases us. For unless that alone which debases is an evil, thou too must perforce do many a wrong thing and become a brigand[5] or any sort of man.
Eighthly: Bethink thee how much more grievous are the consequences of our anger and vexation at such actions than are the acts themselves which arouse that anger and vexation.
Ninthly: That kindness is irresistible,[6] be it but sincere and no mock smile or a mask assumed. For what can the most unconscionable of men do to thee, if thou persist in being kindly to him, and when a chance is given exhort him mildly and, at the very time when he is trying to do thee harm, quietly teach him a better way[7] thus: Nay, my child, we have been made for other things. I shall be in
- ↑ Or, "with an eye to circumstances," "with some further end in view," knowledge of which would justify the action or shew its necessity.
- ↑ ix. 38.
- ↑ vii. 16; viii. 40; ix. 13; xi. 11, 16.
- ↑ vii. 16.
- ↑ x. 10.
- ↑ Sen. de Ben. vii. 31: vincit malos pertinax bonitas.
- ↑ v. 28; vi. 27; viii. 59; x. 4; xi. 13.
