Do not lose self-esteem.

Judge yourself strictly according to your own self-esteem, not "because others will sanction it."

from The Art of Worldly Wisdom Do not lose self-respect. l

• Do not lose self-respect and do not become too comfortable with yourself. Let your sense of righteousness be the true standard, and owe more to the rigor of your own self-judgment than to any external sanction. Rather than fear external authority, be mindful of your own self-esteem and avoid all unseemly behavior. Pay attention to this and you will not need Seneca's imaginary tutor.

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