But it is a fine thing to keep an unruffled temper, an unchanging mien, and the same cast of countenance in every condition of life; this, history tells us, was characteristic of Socrates and no less of Gaius Laelius.
In his philosophical discussion of moral duties, Cicero praises the virtue of maintaining emotional composure regardless of life's circumstances.
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Whether we do the kindness or not is optional; but to fail to requite one is not allowable to a good man, provided he can make the requital without violating the rights of others.
But those wars which have glory for their end must be carried on with less bitterness.
Thus apparent expediency is outweighed when placed in the balance against moral rectitude.
But while they steer clear of the one kind of injustice, they fall into the other: they are traitors to social life, for they contribute to it none of their interest, none of their effort, none of their means.
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