Moral essays. With an English translation by J.W. Basore

—ON FIRMNESS, xiii. 4-xiv. 2u to relax your bow ; they are your bitterestv.iiemies, open to bribes, and eager for a new master."Consequently the ^^ise man \n\\ not be moved by anyman's insult. For men may all differ one fromanother, yet the wise man regards them as all aUkebecause they are all equally foohsh ; since if he shouldonce so far condescend as to be moved either byinsult or injury, he could never be unconcerned.Unconcern, however, is the peculiar blessing of thewise man, and he \\'ill never allow himself to pay tothe one who offered him an insult the compliment ofadmitting that it was offered. For, necessarily,whoever is troubled by another's scorn, is pleased byhis admiration.Some men are mad enough to suppose that evena woman can offer them an insult. What mattersit how they regard her, how many lackeys she hasfor her htter, how hea\-ily weighted her ears, howroomy her sedan ? She is just the same unthinkingcreature—wild, and unrestrained in her passionsunless she has gained knowledge and had muchinstruction. Some are affronted if a hairdresserjostles them, and some call the rudeness of a houseporter,an usher's arrogance, or a valet's loftiness aninsult. O what laughter should such things draw !With what satisfaction should a man's mind be filledwhen he contrasts his ovm repose with the unrestinto which others blunder " ! WTiat then " ? you say," will the wise man not approach a door that isguarded by a surly keeper " ? Assuredly, if somenecessar}' business summons him he will make theventure, and placate the keeper, be he what he may,as one quiets a dog by tossing him food, and he willnot deem it improper to pay something in order that89