If someone tells you that a person is talking badly about you, don't make excuses for what was said. Instead, say: "He doesn't know my other faults, or he wouldn't have mentioned just those."
You don't need to go to public events often. But if there's a good reason to attend, don't worry about anyone except yourself. Want things to happen exactly as they do. Want the best person to win. This way, nothing will disappoint you. Don't cheer, boo, or get worked up. When you leave, don't spend a lot of time talking about what happened — especially if it doesn't help you improve. Talking too much about the event shows you were impressed by the spectacle.
If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make excuses about what is said of you, but answer: "He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone."
It is not necessary for you to appear often at public spectacles; but if ever there is a proper occasion for you to be there, do not appear more solicitous for any other than for yourself—that is, wish things to be only just as they are, and only the best man to win; for thus nothing will go against you. But abstain entirely from acclamations and derision and violent emotions. And when you come away, do not discourse a great deal on what has passed and what contributes nothing to your own amendment. For it would appear by such discourse that you were dazzled by the show.