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

ON ANGER, III. V. 8-vi. 4bends before injury. The man who has offendedyou is eitTxeffstfonger or weaker than you : if he isweaker, spare him ; if he is stronger, spare yourself.There is no surer proof of greatness than to be ina state where nothing can possibly happen to disturbyqu. The higher region of the universe, being',better ordered and near to the stars, is condensedinto no cloud, is lashed into no tempest, is churnedinto no whirhWnd ; it is free from all turmoil ; it isin the lower regions that the lightnings flash. Inthe same way the lofty mind is always calm, at rest,in a quiet haven " ; crushing dovm. all that engendersanger, it is restrained, commands respect, and isproperly ordered.^ In an angry man you will findnonejjf these things. For who that surrenders toanger and rage does not straightway cast behindhim all sense of shame ? Who that storms in ^vildfury and assails another does not cast aside whateverhe had in him that commands respect ? WTiothat is enraged maintains the full number or theorder of his duties ? \Mio restrains his tongue ?Who controls any part of his body ? Who is able torule the self that he has set loose ? We shall dowell to heed that sound doctrine of Democritus * inwhich he shows that tranquillity is possible only ifwe avoid most of the activities of both private andpubhc hfe, or at least those that are too great forour strength. The man who engages in manyaffairs is never so fortunate as to pass a day thatdoes not beget from some person orsome circumstancea vexation that fits the mind for anger. Justas a man hurrying through the crowded sections ofthe city cannot help colliding with many people, andin one place is sure to slip, in another to be held back,269