“Meditations” Book VI: Passage XLV

Let us do our best endeavours to persuade them; but however, if reason and justice lead thee to it, do it, though they be never so much against it.

But if any shall by force withstand thee, and hinder thee in it, convert thy virtuous inclination from one object unto another,

from justice to contented equanimity, and cheerful patience:

so that what in the one is thy hindrance, thou mayst make use of it for the exercise of another virtue:

and remember that it was with due exception, and reservation, that thou didst at first incline and desire.

For thou didst not set thy mind upon things impossible.

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