Miscellanies in Prose and Verse

The actions of all others are not the result of wise deliberation, but are frauds and stratagems, and rude motions of the mind, which he counts as mere casualties. Add, too, that no one receives an injury with an unmoved mind, but is disturbed by the consciousness of having received it; but the erect man is void of perturbation, is the moderator of himself, and is of a profound and placid quiet. For if an injury could reach him, it would both move and impede him. But the wise man is void of anger, which injury excites. Hence, he is so erect, so elated with continual joy. So far is he from receiving any detriment from the hostile attacks of men and things, that even injury itself is of use to him, through which he derives experience of himself, and tries his virtue. Let not the multitude be indignant that the wise man is excepted from the number of those that are injured; nor let any thing on this account be detracted from their petulance, their rapacious desires, or their temerity and pride. Their vices remaining, let this liberty be given to the wise man. While they are still permitted to do an injury, let it be granted that the wise man gives all injuries to the winds, and defends himself by patience and magnitude of mind. Thus, in sacred contests, many conquered, through wearying by obstinate patience the slaughtering hands of their antagonists. Conceive, therefore, that the wise man ranks