And Cicero thinks that propriety in life consists in learning who you are and then holding firm to it, however difficult or unpopular that may be. For it is of no avail to fight against one s nature or to aim at what is impossible of attainment. And he wants to encourage us to cultivate both the courage and forethought necessary for the ability to persist in what we think is right. But it takes a brave and resolute spirit not to be disconcerted in times of difficulty or ruffled or thrown off one s feet, as the saying is, but to keep one s presence of mind and one s self-possession and not to swerve from the path of reason. The rational person needs the support of the heart and mind.
Courage is required for meeting the difficulties of life.
And so is rational anticipation. Cicero wants us to be brave and confident. But he never wants that attitude to shade into arrogance. Sometimes, the path we face is difficult. But sometimes it's not.