41. Epicurus says, In my sickness my conversation was not about my bodily
sufferings, nor, says he, did I talk on such subjects to those who
visited me; but I continued to discourse on the nature of things as
before, keeping to this main point, how the mind, while participating in
such movements as go on in the poor flesh, shall be free from
perturbations and maintain its proper good. Nor did I, he says, give the
physicians an opportunity of putting on solemn looks, as if they were
doing something great, but my life went on well and happily. Do, then,
the same that he did both in sickness, if thou art sick, and in any other
circumstances; for never to desert philosophy in any events that may
befall us, nor to hold trifling talk either with an ignorant man or with
one unacquainted with nature, is a principle of all schools of
philosophy; but to be intent only on that which thou art now doing and on
the instrument by which thou dost it.

42. When thou art offended with any man's shameless conduct, immediately
ask thyself, Is it possible, then, that shameless men should not be in
the world? It is not possible. Do not, then, require what is impossible.
For this man also is one of those shameless men who must of necessity be
in the world. Let the same considerations be present to thy mind in the
case of the knave, and the faithless man, and of every man who does wrong
in any way. For at the same time that thou dost remind thyself that it is
impossible that such kind of men should not exist, thou wilt become more
kindly disposed towards every one individually. It is useful to perceive
this, too, immediately when the occasion arises, what virtue nature has
given to man to oppose to every wrongful act. For she has given to man,
as an antidote against the stupid man, mildness, and against another kind
of man some other power. And in all cases it is possible for thee to
correct by teaching the man who is gone astray; for every man who errs