The hardness that comes from the ancient world is not necessarily harshness, nor is it prejudiced, though those aspects of culture certainly were present There is a virtue to the more difficult path, the more strenuous effort needed. Moderns have a greater humanity, and also a greater softness, and that is its own virtue; it ought to be preserved and cherished. Yet, the ability to survive trauma and later flourish is needed as well. This is part of Fred's "self-overcoming", or at least a valuable interpretation of it. Some of those... less subtle persons will take such an assertion to its extreme, be as harsh as possible to the author of these words or to advocates or to the words themselves, and to others in general, using the idea of being strong in a malignant manner. These are the more obtuse and the intractable; they have only skimmed the surface of ancient thought and its historical significance, yes its virtue. They are incapable of recognizing fault, unless it is small, petty and part of their adversary.
...but you, you never overreact, such a comfort! You do not distort or under-interpret. You do not take personally. You are the most open of all friends and acquaintances in your silence, and I will always have you.