Do not be fond of criticising others, and do not resent their criticisms of you.

Everything," he says, and this is one of his most characteristic precepts, "has two handles! one by which it may be borne, the other by which it cannot.

If your brother be unjust, do not take up the matter by that handle--the handle of his injustice--for that handle is the one by which it cannot be taken up; but rather by the handle that he is your brother and brought up with you; and then you will be taking it up as it can be borne." All these precepts have a general application, but Epictetus adds others on the right bearing of a philosopher; that is, of one whose professed ideal is higher than the multitude.

He bids him above all things not to be censorious, and not to be ostentatious.

"Feed on your own principles; do not throw them up to show how much you have eaten.