Someone who didn't know Marcus Cato accidentally hit him at the public baths. Who would have done it on purpose? When the man tried to apologize, Cato said, "I don't remember being struck." He thought it was better to ignore the insult than to get revenge. You ask, "Didn't that man pay for being so rude?" No. In fact, something good came of it — he got to meet Cato. It takes a great mind to dismiss wrongs done against you. The most crushing form of revenge is deciding your enemy isn't even worth fighting. Many people take small injuries far more seriously than they should by seeking revenge. A truly great and noble person is like a large wild animal that pays no attention to the tiny dogs yapping at its heels.
Some one who did not know Marcus Cato struck him in the public bath in his ignorance, for who would knowingly have done him an injury? Afterwards when he was apologizing, Cato replied, "I do not remember being struck." He thought it better to ignore the insult than to revenge it. You ask, "Did no harm befall that man for his insolence?" No, but rather much good; he made the acquaintance of Cato. It is the part of a great mind to despise wrongs done to it; the most contemptuous form of revenge is not to deem one's adversary worth taking vengeance upon. Many have taken small injuries much more seriously to heart than they need, by revenging them: that man is great and noble who like a large wild animal hears unmoved the tiny curs that bark at him.