it. If, then, it happens to thee in such way as thou art formed by nature
to bear it, do not complain, but bear it as thou art formed by nature to
bear it. But if it happens in such wise as thou art not formed by nature
to bear it, do not complain, for it will perish after it has consumed
thee. Remember, however, that thou art formed by nature to bear
everything, with respect to which it depends on thy own opinion to make
it endurable and tolerable, by thinking that it is either thy interest or
thy duty to do this.

4. If a man is mistaken, instruct him kindly and show him his error. But
if thou art not able, blame thyself, or blame not even thyself.

5. Whatever may happen to thee, it was prepared for thee from all
eternity; and the implication of causes was from eternity spinning the
thread of thy being, and of that which is incident to it (III. II; IV.
26).

6. Whether the universe is [a concourse of] atoms, or nature [is a
system], let this first be established, that I am a part of the whole
which is governed by nature; next, I am in a manner intimately related to
the parts which are of the same kind with myself. For remembering this,
inasmuch as I am a part, I shall be discontented with none of the things
which are assigned to me out of the whole; for nothing is injurious to
the part if it is for the advantage of the whole. For the whole contains
nothing which is not for its advantage; and all natures indeed have this
common principle, but the nature of the universe has this principle
besides, that it cannot be compelled even by any external cause to
generate anything harmful to itself. By remembering, then, that I am a
part of such a whole, I shall be content with everything that happens.
And inasmuch as I am in a manner intimately related to the parts which