Is this his first mistake? Think about how long he's been good to you. Has he messed up often before? Then keep putting up with what you've already put up with for so long. Is he a friend? Then he didn't mean to hurt you. Is he an enemy? Then he was just doing what enemies do. If he's smart, let's believe his excuses. If he's a fool, let's forgive him. Whatever kind of person he is, let's remember this: even the wisest people make mistakes all the time. No one is so careful that they never slip up. No one has such good judgment that they can't be pushed into doing something stupid. In the end, no one — no matter how hard they try not to offend — can avoid hurting others sometimes.
Is this his first offence? think how long he has been acceptable. Has he often done wrong, and in many other cases? then let us continue to bear what we have borne so long. Is he a friend? then he did not intend to do it. Is he an enemy? then in doing it he did his duty. If he be a sensible man, let us believe his excuses; if a fool, let us grant him pardon; whatever he may be, let us say to ourselves on his behalf, that even the wisest of men are often in fault, that no one is so alert that his carefulness never betrays itself, that no one is of so ripe a judgment that his serious mind cannot be goaded by circumstances into some hotheaded action, that, in fine, no one, however much he may fear to give offence, can help doing so even while he tries to avoid it.