Plain
Seneca — The Senator

Think about who you're angry with. If it's a judge, you should respect his opinion over your own. If it's a king, yield to him — either because he's just (if he punishes the guilty) or because he's powerful (if he punishes the innocent). If it's a dumb animal or someone as stupid as one, getting angry just makes you like them. If it's a disease or misfortune, you'll suffer less if you bear it quietly. If it's a god, your anger is as pointless as praying for that god to be angry with someone else. Did a good man wrong you? Don't believe it. Was it a bad man? Don't be surprised. He'll pay someone else the penalty he owes you — in fact, by sinning, he's already punished himself.

On Anger, Book 2, Section 30 Book 2 · 80 of 103
Calm Your Mind Human Nature
Seneca — The Senator Original

Suppose that your opponent is a judge; then you ought to take his opinion rather than your own: or that he is a king; then, if he punishes the guilty, yield to him because he is just, and if he punishes the innocent, yield to him because he is powerful. Suppose that it is a dumb animal or as stupid as a dumb animal: then, if you are angry with it, you will make yourself like it. Suppose that it is a disease or a misfortune; it will take less effect upon you if you bear it quietly: or that it is a god; then you waste your time by being angry with him as much as if you prayed him to be angry with some one else. Is it a good man who has wronged you? do not believe it: is it a bad one? do not be surprised at this; he will pay to some one else the penalty which he owes to you—indeed, by his sin he has already punished himself.

On Anger, Book 2, Section 30 Book 2 · 80 of 103
Seneca — The Senator

Sometimes we see the offense happen right in front of us. When this happens, we should look at who did it and why they did it. Maybe it's a child — let's forgive their youth, since they don't know they're doing something wrong. Or maybe it's a father who has done so much good for us that he's earned the right to wrong us sometimes. Or maybe this thing that bothers us is actually his greatest strength. Or it's a woman who simply made a mistake. Or the person was just following orders. Only an unfair person gets angry at someone who was forced to act. Maybe you hurt him first — well, there's nothing wrong with getting back the pain you started.

On Anger, Book 2, Section 30 Book 2 · 79 of 103
Human Nature Calm Your Mind
Seneca — The Senator Original

Some offences we ourselves witness: in these cases let us examine the disposition and purpose of the offender. Perhaps he is a child; let us pardon his youth, he knows not whether he is doing wrong: or he is a father; he has either rendered such great services, as to have won the right even to wrong us—or perhaps this very act which offends us is his chief merit: or a woman; well, she made a mistake. The man did it because he was ordered to do it. Who but an unjust person can be angry with what is done under compulsion? You had hurt him: well, there is no wrong in suffering the pain which you have been the first to inflict.

On Anger, Book 2, Section 30 Book 2 · 79 of 103
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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