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Consider that nothing in human life is stable;Cf. Isoc. 1.29; Theog. 585. for then you will not exult overmuch in prosperity, nor grieve overmuch in adversity.Cf. Isoc. 2.39; Isoc. 12.30; Theog. 591 ff.: τολμᾶν χρή, τὰ διδοῦσι θεοὶ θνητοῖσι βροτοῖσιν, ῥηιδίως δὲ φέρειν ἀμφοτέρων τὸ λάχος, μήτο κακοῖσιν ἀσῶντα λίην φρένα, μήτ′ ἀγαθοῖσιν τερφθέντ′ ἐξαπίνης, πρὶν τέλος ἄκρον ἰδεῖν. and Kipling: “If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat these two imposters just the same.” Rejoice over the good things which come to you, but grieve in moderation over the evils which befall you, and in either case do not expose your heart to others;Cf. Theog. 1162. for it were strange to hide away one’s treasure in the house, and yet walk about laying bare one’s feelings to the world.
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Be more careful in guarding against censure than against danger; for the wicked may well dread the end of life, but good men should dread ignominy during life. Strive by all means to live in security,Cf. Isoc. 2.13. but if ever it falls to your lot to face the dangers of battle, seek to preserve your life, but with honor and not with disgrace; for death is the sentence which fate has passed on all mankind, but to die nobly is the special honor which nature has reserved for the good.
