But these rules apply to our children. In our case,21 however, our lot at birth and our education give no excuse — the one for the vice, or the other, any longer, for instruction22; it is their consequences23 that we must regulate. We ought, therefore, to make our fight against the primary causes. Now the cause of anger is an impression of injury, and to this we should not easily give credence. We ought not to be led to it quickly even by open and evident acts; for some things are false that have the appearance of truth. We should always allow some time; a day discloses the truth. Let us not give ready ear to traducers; this weakness of human nature let us recognize and mistrust — we are glad to believe what we are loath to hear, and we become angry before we can form a judgment about it. And what is to be said when we are actuated, not merely by charges, but by bare suspicions, and having put the worse interpretation on another’s look or smile, become angry at innocent men? Therefore we should plead the cause of the absent person against ourselves, and anger should be held in abeyance; for punishment postponed can still be exacted, but once exacted it cannot be recalled.