1. Some men are mad enough to suppose that even a woman can offer them an insult. What matters it how they regard her, how many lackeys she has for her litter, how heavily weighted her ears, how roomy her sedan? She is just the same unthinking creature — wild, and unrestrained in her passions — unless she has gained knowledge and had much instruction. Some are affronted if a hairdresser jostles them, and some call the rudeness of a houseporter, an usher’s arrogance, or a valet’s loftiness an insult. O what laughter should such things draw! With what satisfaction should a man’s mind be filled when he contrasts his own repose with the unrest into which others blunder! 2. “What then?” you say, “will the wise man not approach a door that is guarded by a surly keeper?” Assuredly, if some necessary business summons him he will make the venture, and placate the keeper, be he what he may, as one quiets a dog by tossing him food, and he will not deem it improper to pay something in order that he may pass the threshold, remembering that even on some bridges one has to pay to cross. And so to the fellow, be he what he may, who plies this source of revenue at receptions, he will pay his fee; he knows that money will buy whatever is for sale. The man has a small mind who is pleased with himself because he spoke his mind to a porter, because he broke his staff on him, made his way to his master and demanded the fellow’s hide. Whoever enters a contest becomes the antagonist of another, and, for the sake of victory, is on the same level. 3. “But,” you ask, “if a wise man receives a blow, what shall he do?” What Cato did when he was struck in the face. He did not flare up, he did not avenge the wrong, he did not even forgive it, but he said that no wrong had been done. He showed finer spirit in not acknowledging it than if he had pardoned it. But we shall not linger long upon this point. For who is not aware that none of the things reputed to be goods or ills appear to the wise man as they do to men at large? 4. He does not regard what men consider base or wretched; he does not walk with the crowd, but as the planets make their way against the whirl of heaven,12 so he proceeds contrary to the opinion of the world.