Keep thinking about people who were once filled with rage over something. People who reached the highest points of honor or disaster. People consumed by hatred or any other strong feeling. Then ask yourself: what happened to all of that? It all turned to smoke and ashes. It became just a story, maybe not even that. Think of examples like Fabius Catulinus in battle, Lucius Lupus and Stertinius at Baiae, Tiberius at Capri, Velius Rufus — all these men who pursued worldly things with such intensity. Remember how cheap the things they chased really were. How much better it is to handle whatever comes your way with justice and balance, following the gods with simple honesty. The worst kind of pride is being proud that you're not proud.
Let thy thoughts ever run upon them, who once for some one thing or other, were moved with extraordinary indignation; who were once in the highest pitch of either honour, or calamity; or mutual hatred and enmity; or of any other fortune or condition whatsoever. Then consider what's now become of all those things. All is turned to smoke; all to ashes, and a mere fable; and perchance not so much as a fable. As also whatsoever is of this nature, as Fabius Catulinus in the field; Lucius Lupus, and Stertinius, at Baiæ Tiberius at Capreæ and Velius Rufus, and all such examples of vehement prosecution in worldly matters; let these also run in thy mind at the same time; and how vile every object of such earnest and vehement prosecution is; and how much more agreeable to true philosophy it is, for a man to carry himself in every matter that offers itself; justly, and moderately, as one that followeth the Gods with all simplicity. For, for a man to be proud and high conceited, that he is not proud and high conceited, is of all kind of pride and presumption, the most intolerable.