"Abuse if you slight it, will gradually die away; but if you show yourself irritated, you will be thought to have deserved it"

This quote by Tacitus is a pointer that how we respond to abuse can have a considerable influence on how it is viewed. If we overlook it, it will eventually disappear. However, if we reveal ourselves to be inflamed or mad, it can be viewed as an indication that we should have the abuse. This suggests that we need to remain calm and made up in the face of abuse, as it is most likely to be more reliable in discouraging it than reacting with anger. It also indicates that we ought to not take the abuse personally, as it is likely to be a reflection of the abuser's own insecurities and frustrations. By reacting with understanding and compassion, we can help to reduce the probability of more abuse. Eventually, this quote serves as a reminder that how we react to abuse can have a substantial influence on how it is viewed and how it is eventually dealt with.