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38. But as we have a most excellent rule1
for every phase of life, to avoid exhibitions of passion,
that is, mental excitement that is excessive and uncontrolled by reason; so our conversation ought to
be free from such emotions: let there be no exhibition
of anger or inordinate desire, of indolence or indifference, or anything of the kind. We must also take
the greatest care to show courtesy and consideration
toward those with whom we converse.
It may sometimes happen that there is need of2
administering reproof. On such occasions we should,
perhaps, use a more emphatic tone of voice and
more forcible and severe terms and even assume an
appearance of being angry. But we shall have recourse to this sort of reproof, as we do to cautery
and amputation, rarely and reluctantly—never at all,
unless it is unavoidable and no other remedy can be
discovered. We may seem angry, but anger should
be far from us; for in anger nothing right or judicious can be done.
M. Tullius Cicero. De Officiis. With An English Translation. Walter Miller. Cambridge. Harvard University Press; Cambridge, Mass., London, England. 1913.
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