Inner Contentment – Selections from “Morals” by Plutarch (vegetarian), Part 2 of 2

“It is not in our power indeed to determine what the [outcome] will be, but it is our part, if we are wise, to accept in a right spirit whatever fortune sends, and so to contrive matters that what we wish should do us most good, and what we do not wish should do us least harm. […] Thus, we may often turn the edge of fortune when things turn not out as we wish. Diogenes was driven into exile; […] his exile made him turn philosopher. And Zeno of Citium, when he heard that the only merchantman he had was wrecked, cargo and all, said, ‘Fortune, you treat me handsomely, since you reduce me to my threadbare cloak and piazza.’

“But most people are troubled and exasperated not only at the bad in their friends and intimates, but also in their enemies. For railing and anger and envy and malignity and jealousy and ill-will are the bane of those that suffer from those infirmities, and trouble and exasperate the foolish: as for example the quarrels of neighbors, and peevishness of acquaintances, and the want of ability in those that manage state affairs. By these things you yourself seem to me to be put out not a little, as the doctors in Sophocles, who ‘With bitter physic purge the bitter bile,’ so vexed and bitter are you at people’s weaknesses and infirmities, which is not reasonable in you.

Even your own private affairs are not always managed by simple and good and suitable instruments, so to speak, but very frequently by sharp and crooked ones. Do not think it then either your business, or an easy matter either, to set all these things to rights. But if you take people as they are, as the surgeon uses his bandages and instruments for drawing teeth, and with cheerfulness and serenity welcome all that happens, you will be happier in the disposition you will then have than you will be distressed at other people’s disagreeableness and shortcomings. […]”