There are others who bring together all these various kinds of consolations, for people are differently affected; as I have done myself in my book on Consolation; for as my own mind was much disordered, I have attempted in that book to discover every method of cure.

But the proper season is as much to be attended to in the cure of the mind as of the body; as Prometheus in AEschylus, on its being said to him, I think, Prometheus, you this tenet hold, That all men's reason should their rage control?
answers, Yes, when one reason properly applies; Ill-timed advice will make the storm but rise.[48] XXXII.

But the principal medicine to be applied in consolation is, to maintain either that it is no evil at all, or a very inconsiderable one: the next best to that is, to speak of the common condition of life, having a view, if possible, to the state of the person whom you comfort particularly.

The third is, that it is folly to wear one's self out with grief which can avail nothing.

For the comfort of Cleanthes is suitable only for a wise man, who is in no need of any comfort at all; for could you persuade one in grief that nothing is an evil but what is base, you would not only cure him of grief, but folly.