If you intend to improve, throw away such thoughts as these: if I
neglect my affairs, I shall not have the means of living: unless I
chastise my slave, he will be bad. For it is better to die of hunger
and so to be released from grief and fear than to live in abundance
with perturbation; and it is better for your slave to be bad than for
you to be unhappy. Begin then from little things. Is the oil spilled?
Is a little wine stolen? Say on the occasion, at such price is sold
freedom from perturbation; at such price is sold tranquillity, but
nothing is got for nothing. And when you call your slave, consider that
it is possible that he does not hear; and if he does hear, that he will
do nothing which you wish. But matters are not so well with him, but
altogether well with you, that it should be in his power for you to be
not disturbed.