What have you learned is the will of human nature? Does what happened to you stop you from being just? Or brave? Or moderate? Or wise? Or careful? Or honest? Or humble? Or free? Or from having any of the other qualities that make human nature complete and satisfied? Remember this rule from now on whenever you feel sorry for yourself: whatever happened to you is not really a misfortune. But bearing it well — that is true happiness.
What then hast thou learned is the will of man's nature? Doth that then which hath happened unto thee, hinder thee from being just? or magnanimous? or temperate? or wise? or circumspect? or true? or modest? or free? or from anything else of all those things in the present enjoying and possession whereof the nature of man, (as then enjoying all that is proper unto her,) is fully satisfied? Now to conclude; upon all occasion of sorrow remember henceforth to make use of this dogma, that whatsoever it is that hath happened unto thee, is in very deed no such thing of itself, as a misfortune; but that to bear it generously, is certainly great happiness.