Once anger passes, we can see how much damage we've done. This is where we make our biggest mistakes: we use deadly force, we execute people, we put them in chains, lock them up, or starve them to punish crimes that deserve nothing more than a light whipping. "How," you ask, "should we look at the things that seem to hurt us, so we can see how trivial and childish they really are?" Above all, I urge you to develop a generous spirit. Look at how low and dirty all these matters are that we fight over and chase after until we're breathless. To anyone with truly noble thoughts, these things aren't worth considering.
When it has passed away we shall see what amount of damage has been done; for this is what we are especially liable to make mistakes about: we use the sword, and capital punishment, and we appoint chains, imprisonment, and starvation to punish a crime which deserves only flogging with a light scourge. “In what way,” say you, “do you bid us look at those things by which we think ourselves injured, that we may see how paltry, pitiful, and childish they are?” Of all things I would charge you to take to yourself a magnanimous spirit, and behold how low and sordid all these matters are about which we squabble and run to and fro till we are out of breath; to any one who entertains any lofty and magnificent ideas, they are not worthy of a thought.