It is difficult to live with people because it is so difficult to be silent. And not against him who is repugnant to us are we most unfair, but against him who is no concern of ours. But if you have a suffering friend, be a resting place for his suffering, but a hard bed as it were, a field cot: thus will you profit him best. And if a friend does you evil, then say: “I forgive you what you did to me; but that you have done it to yourself—how could I forgive that?” Thus speaks all great love: it overcomes even forgiveness and pity.
