1But just as in all of life it is most rightly prescribed that we should shun disturbances, that is, excessive movements of the mind not obedient to reason, so conversation ought to be free of such movements, so that no anger arises, nor any desire, nor does sloth or cowardice or anything of the kind appear; and we must take the greatest care to seem both to respect and to love those with whom we converse. 1Rebukes, too, sometimes become necessary, in which we should perhaps use both a greater raising of the voice and a sharper weight of words, and also act so as to seem to be doing this in anger.
1But, as with cautery and surgery, so we shall come to this kind of chastisement rarely and reluctantly, and never unless it is necessary, if no other remedy is to be found; 1but still let anger be far away, for with it nothing can be done rightly, nothing with deliberation. 137For the most part, however, one may use mild reproof, yet joined with seriousness, so that severity is applied and insult kept away; and even that very harshness which a rebuke contains must be shown to have been undertaken for the sake of the person rebuked. 137It is right, moreover, even in those disputes which take place with our bitterest enemies, even if we hear things unworthy of us, still to keep our dignity and drive away anger.
137For what is done with any disturbance can neither be done consistently nor win the approval of those present. 137It is also unseemly to boast about oneself, especially falsely, and to imitate the braggart soldier to the mockery of the listeners.