Plain
Seneca — The Senator

Antigonus could hear everything his soldiers said — there was only a thin piece of cloth between him and them. He quietly lifted it and said, "Move a little farther away, or the king might hear you." Another night, he heard some soldiers cursing him for leading them down a terrible road into deep mud. He went to the ones having the worst trouble and helped them out without letting them know who he was. Then he said, "Now curse Antigonus, whose fault it is that you got stuck in this mess. But bless the man who just pulled you out of it." This same Antigonus took his enemies' insults just as good-naturedly

On Anger, Book 3, Section 22 Book 3 · 69 of 121
Human Nature Doing The Right Thing
Seneca — The Senator Original

Antigonus heard all they said, as was likely, since there was only a piece of cloth between the speakers and the listener, who gently raised it, and said “Go a little further off, for fear the king should hear you.” He also on one night, hearing some of his soldiers invoking everything that was evil upon their king for having brought them along that road and into that impassable mud, went to those who were in the greatest difficulties, and having extricated them without their knowing who was their helper, said, “Now curse Antigonus, by whose fault you have fallen into this trouble, but bless the man who has brought you out of this slough.” This same Antigonus bore the abuse of his enemies as good-naturedly

On Anger, Book 3, Section 22 Book 3 · 69 of 121
Seneca — The Senator

These should be seen as examples to avoid. What I'm about to tell you, on the other hand, should be followed. These are examples of gentle and merciful behavior from men who had good reasons to be angry and the power to get revenge. What could have been easier than for Antigonus to order the execution of those two common soldiers? They were leaning against their king's tent, doing what all people especially love to do — and run the greatest danger by doing. They were talking badly about their king.

On Anger, Book 3, Section 22 Book 3 · 68 of 121
Calm Your Mind Doing The Right Thing
Seneca — The Senator Original

These should be regarded as examples to be avoided, and what I am about to relate, on the contrary, to be followed, being examples of gentle and lenient conduct in men who both had reasons for anger and power to avenge themselves. What could have been easier than for Antigonus to order those two common soldiers to be executed who leaned against their king’s tent while doing what all men especially love to do, and run the greatest danger by doing, I mean while they spoke evil of their king.

On Anger, Book 3, Section 22 Book 3 · 68 of 121
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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