We shouldn't explode with anger even when the injury seems clear and obvious. Some false things look completely true. We should always give it time — time reveals the truth. Don't let your ears easily accept gossip and lies. Know this human flaw and guard against it: we're eager to believe what we don't want to hear, and we get angry before we even think it through. What's worse? We're influenced not just by accusations but by suspicions. We might rage at innocent people just because of a look or a smile that we interpret in the worst possible way. So we should defend the absent person against ourselves. Keep our anger on hold. A punishment that's delayed can still be given later, but once you've punished someone, you can't take it back.
We ought not to fly into a rage even when the injury appears to be open and distinct: for some false things bear the semblance of truth. We should always allow some time to elapse, for time discloses the truth. Let not our ears be easily lent to calumnious talk: let us know and be on our guard against this fault of human nature, that we are willing to believe what we are unwilling to listen to, and that we become angry before we have formed our opinion. What shall I say? we are influenced not merely by calumnies but by suspicions, and at the very look and smile of others we may fly into a rage with innocent persons because we put the worst construction upon it. We ought, therefore, to plead the cause of the absent against ourselves, and to keep our anger in abeyance: for a punishment which has been postponed may yet be inflicted, but when once inflicted cannot be recalled.