Seneca'sEssaysVolumeII

Source:LuciusAnnasusSeneca.MoralEssays.TranslatedbyJohnW.Basore.The
LoebClassicalLibrary.London:W.Heinemann,19281935.3vols.:VolumeII.Before
usinganyportionofthistextinanytheme,essay,researchpaper,thesis,ordissertation,
pleasereadthedisclaimer.
Transcriptionconventions:Pagenumbersinanglebracketsrefertotheeditioncitedas
thesource.TheLatintext,whichappearsonevennumberedpages,isnotincludedhere.
Wordsorphrasessingledoutforindexingaremarkedbyplussigns.Intheindex,
numbersinparenthesesindicatehowmanytimestheitemappears.Aslashfollowedbya
smallletteroranumberindicatesafootnoteatthebottomofthepage.Onlynotesof
historical,philosophical,orliteraryinteresttoageneralreaderhavebeenincluded.Ihave
allowedGreekpassagestostandasthescannerreadthem,inunintelligiblestringsof
characters.
TableofContents:|DECONSOLATIONEADMARCIAM+|DEVITABEATA+|DEOTIO+
|DETRANQUILLITATE+|DEBREVITATEVITAE+|DECONSOLATIONEAD
POLYBIUM+|DECONSOLATIONEADHELVIAM+
Index:adfectus+(1)|anger+(1)|benefactions+(1)|Caliban+(1)|chance+(1)|cheer+(1)
|common+(7)|common_property+(1)|commonwealths+(1)|constantia_integrity+(1)
|courageous+(1)|courtesy+(1)|cupidatium+(1)|desire+(1)|Donne_death+(1)|
effeminacy+(2)|Emerson+(1)|Eve_evil+(1)|fallen+(1)|Fate+(1)|Faust+(1)|
feminism+(1)|flesh+(1)|flies+(1)|fop+(3)|Fop+(1)|Fortune+(3)|free+(1)|
freedom+(2)|friendship+(1)|Frost_R+(1)|future+(1)|giving+(2)|glory+(1)|
good_die_young+(1)|goods+(1)|greed+(1)|Hamlet+(1)|hand_of_heaven+(1)|herd+(1)
|hesitation+(2)|honour+(1)|invictus+(2)|Jesus+(1)|Job+(1)|king's_burden+(1)|
Kubla_Khan+(1)|Lear+(2)|Liberal_Arts+(1)|liberal_studies+(2)|liberality+(3)|liberty+(1)
|lust+(2)|Luxury+(1)|magnificentia+(1)|manly+(1)|mansuetudine+(1)|
merry_making+(1)|mob+(1)|moderation+(2)|modesty+(2)|money+(1)|mortality+(1)
|Murphy+(1)|nature+(1)|noblesse_oblige+(1)|outward_show+(1)|pardon+(1)|
passions+(1)|patience+(1)|pietas+(1)|PlainDealer+(8)|poor+(1)|Pope+(2)|
Pope_frailty+(1)|poverty+(1)|public+(1)|rabble+(1)|reason+(1)|Regulus+(1)|
riches+(4)|self_reliance+(1)|sentimentality+(1)|service+(5)|servitude+(1)|Sidney+(1)|
simplicitas_PlainDealer+(1)|simplicity+(2)|slavery+(2)|slaves+(1)|Sophocles+(1)|
soul+(1)|sport+(2)|stars_from_wrong+(1)|studies+(5)|Swift_dusty_shoes+(1)|
tears+(1)|Thoreau+(1)|Timon+(1)|trust+(1)|Tyranny_of_majority+(1)|Ulysses+(1)|
virilius+(1)|virtues+(1)|Wdswth+(1)|woman+(3)|womanish+(1)|womanly+(1)|
women+(2)

DECONSOLATIONEADMARCIAM+
BOOKVI
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION
IfIdidnotknow,Marcia,\athatyouwereasfarremovedfromwomanish
weaknessofmind{effeminacy+}asfromallothervices,andthatyourcharacterwas
lookeduponasamodelofancientvirtue,Ishouldnotdaretoassailyourgriefthegrief
thatevenmenarepronetonurseandbrooduponnorshouldIhaveconceivedthehope
ofbeingabletoinduceyoutoacquitFortuneofyourcomplaint,atatimesounfavourable,
withherjudgesohostile,afterachargesohateful.Butyourstrengthofmindhasbeen
alreadysotestedandyourcourage,afteraseveretrial,soapprovedthattheyhavegiven
meconfidence.Howyouboreyourselfinrelationtoyourfatheriscommonknowledge
foryoulovedhimnotlessdearlythanyourchildren,saveonlythatyoudidnotwishhimto
outliveyou.AndyetIamnotsurethatyoudidnotwisheventhatforgreataffection
sometimesventurestobreakthenaturallaw.Thedeathofyour
<Ess23>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,i.24
father,AulusCremutiusCordus,youdelayedaslongasyoucouldafteritbecameclear
that,surroundedashewasbytheminionsofSejanus,hehadnootherwayofescape
fromservitude,favourhisplanyoudidnot,butyouacknowledgeddefeat,andyourouted\a
yourtearsinpublicandchokeddownyoursobs,yetinspiteofyourcheerfulfaceyoudid
notconcealthemandthesethingsinanagewhenthesupremelyfilialwassimplynotto
beunfilial!\bWhen,however,changedtimesgaveyouanopportunity,yourecoveredfor
thebenefitofmenthatgeniusofyourfatherwhichhadbroughthimtohisend,andthus
savedhimfromtheonlyrealdeath,andthebookswhichthatbravestherohadwritten
withhisownbloodyourestoredtotheirplaceamongthememorialsofthenation.You
havedoneaverygreatservicetoRomanscholarship,foralargepartofhiswritingshad
beenburnedaverygreatservicetoposterity,forhistorywillcometothemasan
uncorruptedrecordwhosehonestycostitsauthordearandaverygreatservicetothe
manhimself,whosememorynowlivesandwilleverlivesolongasitshallbeworthwhile
tolearnthefactsofRomanhistorysolongasthereshallbeanyonewhowillwishto
harkbacktothedeedsofourancestors,solongasthereshallbeanyonewhowillwishto
knowwhatitistobeaRomanhero,whatitistobeunconqueredwhenallnecksare
bowedandforcedtobeartheyokeofaSejanus,whatitistobefreeinthought,in
purpose,andinact.Agreatloss,inverytruth,thestatehadsuffered,hadyounot
rescuedthismanwhohadbeenthrustintooblivionforthesakeoftwoofthenoblest
thingseloquenceandfreedom.Butheisnowread,helives,andensconcedinthe
handsand
<Ess25>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,i.47
heartsofmenhefearsnopassingoftheyearsbut,thosecutthroatseventheircrimes,
bywhichalonetheydeservedtoberemembered,willsoonbeheardofnomore.This
evidenceofthegreatnessofyourmindforbademetopayheedtoyoursex,forbademeto
payheedtoyourface,which,sincesorrowoncecloudedit,unbrokensadnessholdsfor
alltheseyears.Andsee!Iamnotstealinguponyouwithstealth,noramIplanningto
filchfromyouanyofyoursufferings.Ihaverecalledtoyourmemoryoldmisfortunes,and,
thatyoumayknowthateventhisdeepcutwoundwillsurelyheal,Ihaveshownyouthe
scarofanoldwoundthatwasnotlesssevere.Andsoletothersdealwithyougentlyand
plysoftwords.Imyselfhavedeterminedtobattlewithyourgrief,andyoureyesthatare
weariedandwornweepingnow,ifImayspeakthetruth,morefromhabitthanfrom
sorrowshallbecheckedbymeasuresthat,ifsoitmaybe,youwelcome,ifnot,even
againstyourwill,eventhoughyouhugandembracethesorrowthatyouhavekeptalivein
placeofyourson.Elsewhatendshallithave?Everymeanshasbeentriedinvain.The
consolationsofyourfriends,theinfluenceofgreatmenwhowereyourrelativeshave
beenexhausted.Books,yourloveforwhichwasaboonbequeathedbyyourfather,now
voidofcomfortandscarcelyservingforbriefdistraction,maketheirappealtounheeding
ears.Eventime,Nature'sgreathealer,thatlaysevenourmostgrievoussorrows,inyour
caseonlyhaslostitspower.Threewholeyearshavenowpassed,andyetthefirst
violenceofyoursorrowhasinnowayabated.Yourgriefisrenewedandgrowsstronger
everydaybylingering
<Ess27>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,i.7ii.3
ithasestablisheditsrighttostay,andhasnowreachedthepointthatitisashamedto
makeanend,justasallvicesbecomedeeprootedunlesstheyarecrushedwhenthey
springup,so,too,suchastateofsadnessandwretchedness,withitsselfafflicted
torture,feedsatlastuponitsverybitterness,andthegriefofanunhappymindbecomesa
morbidpleasure.AndsoIshouldhavelikedtoapproachyourcureinthefirststagesof
yoursorrow.Whileitwasstillyoung,agentlerremedymighthavebeenusedtocheckits
violenceagainstinveterateevilsthefightmustbemorevehement.Thisislikewisetrueof
woundstheyareeasytohealwhiletheyarestillfreshandbloody.Whentheyhave
festeredandturnedintoawickedsore,thentheymustbecauterizedand,openedupto
theverybottom,mustsubmittoprobingfingers.Asitis,Icannotpossiblybeamatchfor
suchhardenedgriefbybeingconsiderateandgentleitmustbecrushed.Iamawarethat
allthosewhowishtogiveanyoneadmonitioncommonlybeginwithprecepts,andend
withexamples.Butitisdesirableattimestoalterthispracticefordifferentpeoplemust
bedealtwithdifferently.Someareguidedbyreason,somemustbeconfrontedwith
famousnamesandanauthoritythatdoesnotleaveaman'smindfree,dazzledasheis
byshowydeeds.Ishallplacebeforeyoureyesbuttwoexamplesthegreatestofyour
sexandcenturyone,ofawomanwhoallowedherselftobesweptawaybygrief,the
other,ofawomanwho,thoughshesufferedalikemisfortuneandevengreaterloss,yet
didnotpermitherillstohavethemasterylong,butquicklyrestoredhermindtoits
accustomedstate.OctaviaandLivia,theonethe
<Ess29>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,ii.34
sisterofAugustus,theotherhiswife,hadlosttheirsonsbothofthemyoungmenwith
thewellassuredhopeofbecomingemperor.
Octavialost\aMarcellus,uponwhomAugustus,atoncehisuncleandhis
fatherinlaw,hadbeguntolean,uponwhomhehadbeguntoresttheburdenofempire
ayoungmanofkeenmind,ofcommandingability,yetwithalmarkedbyafrugalityand
selfrestraintthat,foroneofhisyearsandwealth,commandedthehighestadmiration,
patientunderhardships,aversetopleasures,andreadytobearwhateverhisunclemight
wishtoplaceor,sotospeak,tobuilduponhim:wellhadhechosenafoundationthat
wouldnotsinkbeneathanyweight.ThroughalltherestofherlifeOctaviasetnobounds
tohertearsandmoans,andclosedherearstoallwordsthatofferedwholesomeadvice
withherwholemindfixedandcentredupononesinglething,shedidnotallowherself
eventorelax.SuchsheremainedduringherwholelifeasshewasatthefuneralIdonot
saylackingthecouragetorise,butrefusingtobeuplifted,countinganylossoftearsa
secondbereavement.Notasingleportraitwouldshehaveofherdarlingson,notone
mentionofhisnameinherhearing.Shehatedallmothers,andwasinflamednostofall
againstLivia,becauseitseemedthatthehappinesswhichhadoncebeenheldoutto
herselfhadpassedtotheotherwoman'sson.\bCompanionedeverbydarknessand
solitude,givingnothoughteventoherbrother,shespurnedthepoems\cthatwerewritten
toglorifythememoryofMarcellusandallotherliteraryhonours,andclosedherearsto
everyformofconsolation.Withdrawingfromallheraccustomeddutiesandhating
<Ess211>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,ii.4iii.2
eventhegoodfortunethatherbrother'sgreatnessshedalltoobrightlyaroundher,she
buriedherselfindeepseclusion.Surroundedbychildrenandgrandchildren,shewould
notlayasidehergarbofmourning,and,puttingaslightonallhernearest,accounted
herselfutterlybereftthoughtheystilllived.
AndLivialosthersonDrusus,whowouldhavemadeagreatemperor,andhad
alreadyshownhimselfagreatleader.ForhehadpenetratedfarintoGermany,andhad
plantedtheRomanstandardsinaregionwhereitwasscarcelyknownthatanyRomans
existed.Hehaddiedonthecampaign,andhisveryfoeshadreverentlyhonouredhis
sickbedbymaintainingpeacealongwithusnordidtheydaretodesirewhattheir
interestsdemanded.Andtothesecircumstancesofhisdeath,whichhehadmetinthe
serviceofhiscountry,therewasaddedtheunboundedsorrowofhisfellowcitizens,of
theprovinces,andofallItaly,throughthelengthofwhichcrowdspouredforthfromthe
townsandcolonies,and,escortingthefuneraltrainallthewaytothecity,madeitseem
morelikeatriumph.Hismotherhadnotbeenpermittedtoreceiveherson'slastkisses
anddrinkinthefondwordsofhisdyinglips.Onthelongjourneyathroughwhichshe
accompaniedtheremainsofherdearDrusus,herheartwasharrowedbythecountless
pyresthatflamedthroughoutallItalyforoneachsheseemedtobelosinghersonafresh
,yetassoonasshehadplacedhiminthetomb,alongwithhersonshelaidawayher
sorrow,andgrievednomorethanwasrespectfultoCaesarorfairtoTiberius,seeing,that
theywerealive.Andlastly,sheneverceasedfromproclaimingthenameofher
<Ess213>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,iii.24
dearDrusus.Shehadhimpicturedeverywhere,inprivateandinpublicplaces,andit
washergreatestpleasuretotalkabouthimandtolistentothetalkofothersshelived
withhismemory.Butnoonecancherishandclingtoamemorythathehasrenderedan
afflictiontohimself.
Doyouchoose,therefore,whichofthesetwoexamplesyouthinkthemore
laudable.Ifyouprefertofollowtheformer,youwillremoveyourselffromthenumberof
thelivingyouwillturnawayyoureyesbothfromotherpeople'schildrenandfromyour
own,evenfromhimwhomyoumournmotherswillregardyouasanunhappyomen
honourableandpermissiblepleasuresyouwillrenounceasillbecomingtoyourplight
hatingthelightofday,youwilllingerinit,andyourdeepestoffencewillbeyourage,
becausetheyearsdonothurryyouonandmakeanendofyouassoonaspossibleyou
willshowthatyouareunwillingtoliveandunabletodieaconditionthatismost
disgracefulandforeign,too,toyourcharacter,whichisconspicuousforitsleaningtoward
thebettercourse.If,ontheotherhand,youappropriatetheexampleoftheothermost
exaltedlady,showingthusamorerestrainedandmoregentlespirit,youwillnotdwellin
sorrow,norrackyourselfwithanguish.Forwhatmadnessitishowmonstrous!to
punishone'sselfformisfortuneandaddnewilltopresentills!Thatcorrectnessof
characterandselfrestraintwhichyouhavemaintainedallyourlife,youwillexhibitinthis
matteralsoforthereissuchathingasmoderationeveningrieving.Andastotheyouth
himself,whosorichlydeservedthatthementionofhisnameandyourthoughtofhim
shouldalwaysbringyoujoy,youwillsethiminamorefittingplace,ifhe
<Ess215>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,iii.4iv.4
comesbeforehismotherasthesamemerryandjoyoussonthatheusedtobewhenhe
wasalive.
NorshallIdirectyourmindtopreceptsofthesternersort,\asoastobidyoubear
ahumanfortuneininhumanfashion,soastodryamother'seyesontheverydayof
burial.ButIshallcomewithyoubeforeanarbiter,andthiswillbethequestionatissue
betweenuswhethergriefoughttobedeeporneverending.Idoubtnotthattheexample
ofJuliaAugusta,\bwhomyouregardedasanintimatefriend,willseemmoretoyourtaste
thantheothershesummonsyoutofollowher.She,duringthefirstpassionofgrief,
whenitsvictimsaremostunsubmissiveandmostviolent,madeherselfaccessibletothe
philosopherAreus,thefriendofherhusband,andlaterconfessedthatshehadgained
muchhelpfromthatsourcemorethanfromtheRomanpeople,whomshewasunwilling
tosaddenwiththissadnessofhersmorethanfromAugustus,whowasstaggering
underthelossofoneofhismainsupports,andwasinnoconditiontobefurtherbowed
downbythegriefofhisdearonesmorethanfromhersonTiberius,whosedevotionat
thatuntimelyfuneralthatmadethenationsweepkeptherfromfeelingthatshehad
sufferedanylossexceptinthenumberofhersons.Itwasthus,Ifancy,thatAreus
approachedher,itwasthushecommencedtoaddressawomanwhoclungmost
tenaciouslytoherownopinion:"Uptothisday,Julia,atleastsofarasIamawareand,
astheconstantcompanionofyourhusband,Ihaveknownnotonlyeverythingthatwas
givenforthtothepublic,butallthemoresecretthoughtsofyourmindsyouhavetaken
painsthatnooneshouldfindanythingatallinyoutocriticizeandnotonlyinthe
<Ess217>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,iv.4v.4
largermatters,butinthesmallesttrifles,youhavebeenonyourguardnottodoanything
thatyoucouldwishpublicopinion,thatmostfrankjudgeofprinces,toexcuse.And
nothing,Ithink,ismoreadmirablethantherulethatthosewhohavebeenplacedinhigh
positionshouldbestowpardonformanythings,shouldseekpardonfornone.
{noblesse_oblige+}Andsointhismatteralsoyoumuststillholdtoyourpracticeofdoing
nothingthatyoucouldwishundone,ordoneotherwise.
"Furthermore,Ibegandbeseechofyou,donotmakeyourselfunapproachable
anddifficulttoyourfriends.Forsurelyyoumustbeawarethatnoneofthemknowhowto
conductthemselveswhethertheyshouldspeakofDrususinyourpresenceornot
wishingneithertowrongsodistinguishedayouthbyforgettinghim,ortohurtyouby
mentioninghim.Whenwehavewithdrawnfromyourcompanyandaregathered
together,weextolhisdeedsandwordswithallthevenerationhedeservedinyour
presencethereisdeepsilenceabouthim.Andsoyouaremissingaverygreatpleasure
innothearingthepraisesofyourson,whichIdoubtnot,youwouldbeglad,ifyoushould
begiventheopportunity,toprolongtoalltimeevenatthecostofyourlife.Wherefore
submittoconversationaboutyourson,nayencourageit,andletyourearsbeopentohis
nameandmemoryanddonotconsiderthisburdensome,afterthefashionofsome
others,whoinacalamityofthissortcountitanaddedmisfortunetohavetolistento
wordsofcomfort.Asitis,youhavetendedwhollytotheotherextreme,and,forgetting
thebetteraspectsofyourfortune,yougazeonlyuponitsworseside.Youdonotturn
yourthoughttothepleasantintercourseandthemeetingsyouhadwith
<Ess219>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,v.4vi.2
yourson,nortohisfondandboyishcaresses,nortotheprogressofhisstudiesyou
dwellonlyonthatlastappearanceoffortune,andjustasifitwerenothorribleenoughin
itself,youaddtoitallthehorroryoucan.Donot,Iprayyou,covetthatmostperverse
distinctionthatofbeingconsideredthemostunhappyofwomen!Reflect,too,thatitis
nogreatthingtoshowone'sselfbraveinthemidstofprosperity,whenlifeglidesonina
tranquilcourseaquietseaandafavouringwinddonotshowtheskillofapiloteither
somehardshipmustbeencounteredthatwilltesthissoul.Accordingly,donotbebowed
downnay,onthecontrary,plantyourfeetfirmly,and,terrifiedonlyatfirstbythedin,
supportwhateverburdenmayfallfromabove.Nothingcastssomuchcontempton
Fortuneasanunruffledspirit."Afterthishedirectedhertothesonthatwasstillalive,he
directedhertothechildrenofthesonshehadlost.
Itwasyourtrouble,Marcia,thatwasdealtwiththere,itwasatyoursidethatAreus
satchangetheroleitwasyouthathetriedtocomfort.Butsuppose,Marcia,morewas
snatchedfromyouthananymotherhaseverlostIamnottryingtosootheyouorto
minimizeyourcalamity.Iftearscanvanquishfate,letusmarshaltearsleteverydaybe
passedingrief,leteverynightbesleeplessandconsumedwithsorrowlethandsrain
blowsonableedingbreast,norspareeventhefacefromtheirassaultifsorrowwillhelp,
letusventitineverykindofcruelty.Butifnowailingcanrecallthedead,ifnodistress
canalteradestinythatisimmutableandfixedforalleternity,andifdeathholdsfast
whateverithasoncecarriedoff,thenletgrief,whichisfutile,cease.Whereforeletus
steerourownship,
<Ess221>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,vi.3vii.3
andnotallowthispowertosweepusfromthecourse!Heisasorrysteersmanwholets
thewavestearthehelmfromhishands,whohasleftthesailstothemercyofthewinds,
andabandonedtheshiptothestormbuthedeservespraise,evenamidshipwreck,
whomtheseaoverwhelmsstillgrippingtherudderandunyielding.
"But,"yousay,"Naturebidsusgrieveforourdearones."Whodeniesit,solong
asgriefistempered?Fornotonlythelossofthosewhoaredearesttous,butamere
parting,bringsaninevitablepangandwringseventhestoutestheart.Butfalseopinion
hasaddedsomethingmoretoourgriefthanNaturehasprescribed.Observehow
passionateandyethowbriefisthesorrowofdumbanimals.Thelowingofcowsis
heard,foroneortwodaysonly,andthatwildandfranticrunningaboutofmareslastsno
longerwildbeasts,afterfollowingthetracksoftheirstolencubs,afterwanderingthrough
theforestsandreturningoverandovertotheirplunderedlairs,withinashortspaceof
timequenchtheirragebirds,makingagreatoutcry,rageabouttheiremptynests,yetina
tricebecomequietandresumetheirordinaryflightnordoesanycreaturesorrowlongfor
itsoffspringexceptmanhenurseshisgrief,andthemeasureofhisafflictionisnotwhat
hefeels,butwhathewillstofeel.
Moreover,inorderthatyoumayknowthatitisnotbythewillofNaturethatweare
crushedbysorrow,observe,inthefirstplace,that,thoughtheysufferthesame
bereavement,womenarewoundedmoredeeplythanmen,savagepeoplesmoredeeply
thanthepeacefulandcivilized,theuneducated,thantheeducated.Butthepassionsthat
derivetheir
<Ess223>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,vii.3ix.1
powerfromNaturemaintainthesameholduponallthereforeitisclearthatapassionof
variablepowerisnotorderedbyNature.Firewillburnalikepeopleofallagesandofall
nationalities,menaswellaswomensteelwilldisplayitscuttingforceuponeverysortof
flesh.Andwhy?BecauseeachderivesitspowerfromNature,whichmakesno
distinctionofpersons.Butpoverty,grief,andambition\aarefeltdifferentlybydifferent
peopleaccordingastheirmindsarecolouredbyhabit,andafalsepresumption,which
arousesafearofthingsthatarenottobefeared,makesamanweakandunresisting.In
thesecondplace,whateverproceedsfromNatureisnotdiminishedbyitscontinuance.
Butgriefiseffacedbythelonglapseoftime.Howeverstubbornitmaybe,mounting
highereverydayandburstingforthinspiteofeffortstoallayit,neverthelessthemost
powerfulagenttocalmitsfiercenessistimetimewillweakenit.Thereremainswithyou
evennow,Marcia,animmensesorrowitseemsalreadytohavegrowncallousedno
longerthepassionatesorrowitwasatfirst,butstillpersistentandstubbornyetthisalso
littlebylittletimewillremove.Wheneveryouengageinsomethingelse,yourmindwillbe
relieved.Asitisnow,youkeepwatchonyourselfbutthereisawidedifferencebetween
permittingandcommandingyourselftomourn.Howmuchbetterwoulditaccordwiththe
distinctionofyourcharactertoforce,andnotmerelytoforesee,anendtoyourgrief,and
nottowaitforthatdistantdayonwhich,evenagainstyourwill,yourdistresswillcease!
Doyouofyourownwillrenounceit!"Whythen,"youask,"doweallsopersistin
<Ess225>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,ix.14
lamentingwhatwasours,ifitisnotNature'swillthatweshould?"Becausewenever
anticipateanyevilbeforeitactuallyarrives,but,imaginingthatweourselvesareexempt
andaretravellingalessexposedpath,werefusetobetaughtbythemishapsofothers
thatsucharethelotofall.Somanyfuneralspassourdoors,yetweneverthinkofdeath!
Somanydeathsareuntimely,yetwemakeplansforourowninfantshowtheywilldon
thetoga,serveinthearmy,andsucceedtotheirfather'sproperty!Somanyrichmen
arestrickenbeforeoureyeswithsuddenpoverty,yetitneveroccurstousthatourown
wealthalsorestsonjustasslipperyafooting!Ofnecessity,therefore,wearemore
pronetocollapsewearestruck,asitwere,offourguardblowsthatarelongforeseenfall
lessviolently.Andyouwishtobetoldthatyoustandexposedtoblowsofeverysort,and
thatthedartsthathavetransfixedothershavequiveredaroundyou!Justasifyouwere
assaultingsomecitywall,orweremounting,onlyhalfarmed,againstsomeloftyposition
mannedbyahostoftheenemy,expecttobewounded,andbesurethatthemissilesthat
whirlaboveyourhead,thestonesandthearrowsandthejavelins,wereallaimedatyour
ownperson.Wheneveranyonefallsatyoursideorbehindyou,cryout:"Fortune,youwill
notdeceiveme,youwillnotfalluponmeconfidentandheedless.Iknowwhatyouare
planningitistrueyoustrucksomeoneelse,butyouaimedatme."Whoofuseverlooked
uponhispossessionswiththethoughtthathewoulddie?"Whoofuseverventuredto
thinkuponexile,uponwant,upongrief?Who,ifhewereurgedtoreflectuponthese
things,wouldnotrejecttheideaasanunluckyomen,anddemandthatthosecurses
<Ess227>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION.ix.4x.2
passovertotheheadofanenemyoreventothatofhisuntimelyadviser?Yousay:"Idid
notthinkitwouldhappen."Doyouthinkthereisanythingthatwillnothappen,whenyou
knowthatitispossibletohappen,whenyouseethatithasalreadyhappenedtomany?A
strikingversethistoogoodtohavecomefromthestage:
Whatevercanonemanbefallcanhappenjustaswelltoall!\a
Thatmanlosthischildrenyoualsomayloseyours.Thatmanwascondemnedtodeath
yourinnocencealsoisinimminentperil.
Suchisthedelusionthatdeceivesandweakensuswhilewesuffermisfortunes
whichweneverforesawthatweourselvescouldpossiblysuffer.Herobspresentillsof
theirpowerwhohasperceivedtheircomingbeforehand.
Allthesefortuitousthings,Marcia,thatglitteraboutuschildren,honours,wealth,
spacioushallsandvestibulespackedwithathrongofunadmitted,clients,afamous
name,ahighbornorbeautifulwife,andallelsethatdependsuponuncertainandfickle
chancethesearenotourownbutborrowedtrappingsnotoneofthemisgiventous
outright.Thepropertiesthatadornlife'sstagehavebeenlent,andmustgobacktotheir
ownerssomeofthemwillbereturnedonthefirstday,othersonthesecond,onlyafew
willendureuntiltheend.Wehave,therefore,noreasontobepuffedupasifwewere
surroundedwiththethingsthatbelongtouswehavereceivedthemnerelyasa
loan.{common_property+}Theuseandtheenjoymentareours,butthedispenserofthe
giftdeterminesthelengthofourtenure.Onourpartweoughtalwaystokeepinreadiness
thegiftsthathavebeengranted
<Ess229>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,x.26
foratimenotfixed,and,whencalledupon,torestorethemwithoutcomplaintitisavery
meandebtorthatrevileshiscreditor.Andsoweshouldloveallofourdearones,both
thosewhom,bytheconditionofbirth,wehopewillsurviveus,andthosewhoseownmost
justprayeristopassonbeforeus,butalwayswiththethoughtthatwehavenopromise
thatwemaykeepthemforevernay,nopromiseeventhatwemaykeepthemforlong.
Oftenmusttheheartberemindeditmustrememberthatlovedobjectswillsurelyleave,
nay,arealreadyleaving.TakewhateverFortunegives,rememberingthatithasno
voucher.\aSnatchthepleasuresyourchildrenbring,letyourchildreninturnfinddelightin
you,anddrainjoytothedregswithoutdelaynopromisehasbeengivenyouforthisnight
nay,Ihaveofferedtoolongarespite!nopromisehasbeengivenevenforthishour.
Wemusthurry,theenemypressesuponourrear.Soonthesecompanionswillallbe
scattered,soonthebattlecrywillberaised,andthesecomradetiessundered.Nothing
escapesthepillagepoorwretches,amidtheroutyeknownothowtolive!\bIfyougrieve
forthedeathofyourson,theblamemustgobacktothetimewhenhewasbornforhis
deathwasproclaimedathisbirthintothisconditionwashebegotten,thisfateattended
himstraightwayfromthewomb.WehavecomeintotherealmofFortune,andharshand
invincibleisherpowerthingsdeservedandundeservedmustwesufferjustasshewills.
Withviolence,insult,andcrueltyshewillmaltreatourbodies.Someshewillburnwith
fire,applied,itmaybe,topunish,itmaybe,tohealsomeshewillbindwithchains,
committingthepowernowtoanenemy,nowtoafellowcountrymansome
<Ess231>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,x.6xi.3
shewilltossnakedupontheficklesea,and,whentheirstrugglewiththewavesisover,
shewillnotevencastthemuponthesandortheshore,butwillhidethemawayinthe
mawofsomehugemonsterothers,whenshehaswornthemdownwithdivers
diseases,shewilllongkeepsuspendedbetweenlifeanddeath.Likeamistressthatis
changeableandpassionateandneglectfulofherslaves,shewillbecapriciousinbothher
rewardsandherpunishments.Whatneedistheretoweepoverpartsoflife?
Thewholeofitcallsfortears+.Newillswillpressonbeforeyouhavedonewith
theold.Thereforeyouwomenespeciallymustobservemoderation,youwhoare
immoderateinyourgrief,andagainstyourmanysorrowsthepowerofthehumanbreast
mustbearrayed.Again,whythisforgetfulnessofwhatistheindividualandthegeneral
lot?Mortalhaveyoubeenborn,tomortalshaveyougivenbirth.You,whoarea
crumblingandperishablebodyandoftassailedbytheagentsofdisease,canyouhave
hopedthatfromsuchfrailmatteryougavebirthtoanythingdurableandimperishable?
Yoursonisdeadthatis,hehasfinishedhiscourseandreachedthatgoaltowardwhich
allthosewhomyoucountmorefortunatethanyourchildareevennowhastening.Toward
this,atdifferentpaces,movesallthisthrongthatnowsquabblesintheforum,thatlooks
onatthetheatres,thatpraysinthetemplesboththosewhomyouloveandrevereand
thosewhomyoudespiseoneheapofasheswillmakeequal.This,clearly,isthe
meaningofthatfamousutteranceascribedtothePythianoracle:
KNOWTHYSELF.\a
I'V@OtCrEaVT6p!Andisthistheprime
Andheavensprungadageoftheoldentime?

<Ess233>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xi.34
isman?Avesselthattheslightestshaking,theslightesttosswillbreak.Nomightywind
isneededtoscatteryouabroadwhateveryoustrikeagainst,willbeyourundoing.What
isman?Abodyweakandfragile,naked,\ainitsnaturalstatedefenceless,dependent
uponanother'shelp,andexposedtoalltheaffrontsofFortunewhenithaspractisedwell
itsmuscles,itthenbecomesthefoodofeverywildbeast,ofeveryonethepreyafabricof
weakandattractiveonlyinitsouterfeatures,unabletobearcold,heat,andtoil,yetfrom
mererustandidlenessdoomedtodecayfearfulofthefoodsthatfeedit,itdiesnowfrom
thelackofthese,andnowisburstopenbytheirexcessfilledwithanxietyandconcernfor
itssafety,itdrawsitsverybreathonsufferance,keepingbutafeebleholduponitfor
suddenfearoraloudnoisethatfallsunexpectedlyuponthecarswilldriveitforthand
fosterseveritsownunrest,amorbidandauselessthing.Dowewonderthatinthisthing
isdeath,whichneedsbutasinglesigh?Isitsuchamightyundertakinlgtocompassits
destruction?Forit,smellandtaste,wearinessandlossofsleep,drinkandfood,andthe
thingswithoutwhichitcannotlivearechargedwithdeath.Whithersoeveritmovesit
straightwaybecomesconsciousofitsfrailtyunabletoendureallclimates,fromstrange
waters,ablastofunfamiliarair,themosttriflingcausesandcomplaints,itsickensand
rotswithdiseasehaving{Pope_frailty+}{Donne_death+}

aCf.Lucretius,v.222sqq.umporropuer,utsaevisproiectusabundis
navita,nudushumiiacet,infans,indigosomnni
vitaliauxilio,cumprimuninluminisoras
nixibusexalvomatrisnaturaprofudit.
<Ess235>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xi.4xii.2
startedlifewithtears,whatamightypotherallthewhiledoesthisdespicablecreature
make!Forgettinghisinevitablelot,towhatmightythoughtsdoesmanaspire!He
pondersuponeverlastingandeternalthings,andmakesplansforhisgrandchildrenand
greatgrandchildren,whilemeantime,amidhisfarreachingschemes,deathovertakes
him,andeventhis,whichwecalloldage,isbutthepassingroundofapitifullyfewyears.
Butyoursorrowgrantingthatthereisanyreasoninittellme,doesithavein
viewyourownillsortheillsofhimwhoisgone?Inthelossofyoursonareyoustirredby
thethoughtthatyouhavereceivednopleasuresfromhim,orisitthatyoumilyhthave
experiencedgreaterpleasuresifhehadlivedlonger?Ifyouanswerthatyouhave
experiencednone,youwillrenderyourlossmorebearableforthethingsfromwhichmen
haveexperiencednojoyandgladnessarealwayslessmissed.Ifyouconfessthatyou
haveexperiencedgreatpleasuresfromhim,thenitisyourdutynottocomplainabout
whathasbeenwithdrawn,buttogivethanksforwhatyouhavehad.Surelyhisrearing
alonehasyieldedyouamplerewardforallyourtoil,unlessperhapsithappensthatthose
whosparenopainsinraisingpupsandbirdsandothersillypetsderivesomeslight
pleasurefromthesightandtouchandfawningcaressesofthesedumbcreatures,while
thosewhoraisechildrenmisstherearer'srewardthatcomesfromthemereactof
rearingthem.Andsoalthoughhisindustrymayhavegainedyounothing,althoughhis
carefulnessmayhavesavedyounothing,althoughhiswisdommayhavetaughtyou
nothing,yetinhavinghadhim,inhavinglovedhim,liesyourreward.
<Ess237>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xii.35
"But,"yousay,"itmighthavelastedlonger,mighthavebeengreater."True,butyouhave
beenbetterdealtwiththanifyouhadneverhadasonforifweshouldbegiventhechoice
whetheritisbettertobehappyforashorttimeonlyorneveratallitisbetterforusto
haveblessingsthatwillfleethannoneatall.Wouldyouratherhavehadasonwhowasa
disgrace,someonewhohaspossessedmerelytheplaceandthenameofason,orone
withthefinequalitiesyoursonhad,ayouthwhowasearlydiscerning,earlydutiful,earlya
husband,earlyafather,whowasearlydiligentineverypublicduty,earlyapriest,as
thoughhewerealwayshastening?Greatandatthesametimelonglastingblessingsfall
toscarcelyanyman'slotitisonlythegoodfortunewhichcomesslowlythatlastsand
goeswithustotheend.Theimmortalgods,notpurposingtogivehimtoyouforalong
time,gavetoyoufromthefirstasonsuchaslengthoftimeisabletoproduce.Andyou
cannotsayeventhisthatthegodspickedyououtinordertodepriveyouofthenjoyment
ofyourson.Castyoureyesuponthegreatcompanyofpeopleyouknow,ordonotknow
everywhereyouwillfindthosewhohavesufferedgreaterlossesthanyours.Great
generalshaveexperiencedsuchasyours,princeshaveexperiencedthemstoryhasleft
noteventhegodsaexempt,inorder,Ifancy,thattheknowledgethatevendivinitiescan
perishmaylightenourgriefforthedead.Lookaboutyou,Isay,ateveryoneyouwillnot
mentionasinglehomesowretchedthatitcouldnottakecomfortfromknowingonemore
wretched.ButIdonotthinksoillofyourcharacterHeavenforbid!astobelievethatyou
wouldbeabletobearyour
<Ess239>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xii.5xiii.1
ownmisfortunemorelightlyifIshouldbringbeforeyouamightynumberofmourners.
Thesolacethatcomesfromhavingcompanyinmiserysmacksofillwill.Nevertheless,I
shallcitesomeothers,notsomuchtoshowyouthatthiscalamityoftenbefallsmankind
foritwouldbeabsurdtocollecttheexamplesofman'smortalityastoshowyouthat
therehavebeenmanywhosweetenedbitterfortunebyenduringitcalmly.Ishallbegin
withamanwhowasmostfortunate.
LuciusSullalostason,butthatcircumstanceneitherbluntedhismaliceandthe
greatenergyofhisprowessagainsthisenemiesandhisfellowcountrymennormadeit
appearthathehadwronglyusedhisfamoustitle\aforheassumeditafterthedeathof
hisson,fearingneitherthehatredofmen,bywhosemisfortunethatexcessiveprosperity
ofhiswaspurchased,northeenvyofthegods,whosereproachitwasthatSullawasso
truly"theFortunate."Thequestion,however,ofSulla'scharactermaybeleftamongthe
mattersnotyetdecidedthathetookuparmshonourably\bandhonourablylaidthem
asideevenhisenemieswilladmit.Butthepointatpresentinvolvedwillbeclearthatan
evilwhichreacheseventhemostfortunatemenisnotthegreatestofevils.Greecehada
famousfather,\cwho,havingreceivednewsofthedeathofhissonwhilehewasinthe
veryactofofferingsacrifice,merelybadetheflutistbesilent,withdrewthechapletfrom
hishead,andfinisheddulytherestoftheceremonybut,thankstoPulvillus,aRoman
priest,Greececannotgiveljimtoomuchglory.Hewasdedicatingthetempleonthe
Capitoline,andwasstillgraspingthedoorpostwhenhereceivednewsofthedeathofhis
son.But
<Ess241>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xiii.14
hepretendednottohearit,andrepeatedthewordsofthepontificalritualintheappointed
mannernotasinglemoaninterruptedthecourseofhisPrayer,andheentreatedthe
favourofJovewiththenameofhissonringinginhisears.Doyounotthinkthatsuch
griefmusthaveanend,wheneventhefirstdayofitanditsfirstfuryfailedtodiverthim,
fatherthoughhewas,fromhisdutyatthepublicaltarandfromanauspiciousdeliveryof
hissolemnproclarnation?Worthy,intruth,washeofthenotablededication,worthywas
hetoholdthemostexaltedpriesthoodamanwhodidnotdesistfromtheworshipofthe
godsevenwhentheywereangry!Yetwhenhehadreturnedtohishome,thisman's
eyeswerefloodedwithtearsandheindulgedinafewtearfullaments,then,having
completedtheritesthatcustomprescribedforthedead,heresumedtheexpressionhe
hadwornattheCapitol.
Paulus,aboutthetimeofhismostglorioustriumph,inwhichhedrovePerses,\a
thatkingofhighrenown,inchainsbeforehiscar,gaveovertwoofhissons\btobe
adoptedbyothers,andthetwowhomhehadkeptforhimselfheburied.Whatmannerof
men,thinkyou,werethosewhomheretainedwhenScipiowasoneofthosewhomhe
bestowedonothers!NotwithoutemotiondidtheRomanpeoplegazeuponthecarof
Paulusthatnowwasempty.\cNeverthelesshemadeapublicaddress,andgavethanks
tothegodsforhavinggrantedhisprayerforhehadprayedthat,ifheshouldberequired
tomakesomepaymenttoEnvyonaccountofhismightyvictory,thedebtmightbe
dischargedbyalosstohimselfratherthantothestate.Doyouseewithhownoblea
spiritheborehimself?Hecon
<Ess243>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xiii.4xiv.3
gratulatedhimselfonthelossofhischildren!Andwhowouldhavehadabetterrighttobe
deeplymovedbysogreatashiftofforturne?Helostatthesametimebothhiscomfort
andhisstay.YetPersesneverhadthepleasureofseeingPaulussad!
ButwhyshouldInowdragyouthroughthecountlessexamplesofgreatmen,and
searchforthosewhowereunhappyjustasthoughitwerenotmoredifficulttofindthose
whowerehappy?Forhowfewfamilieshaveenduredeventotheendwithallmembers
intact?Whatoneistherethathasnotknowntrouble?Takeanyoneyearyoupleaseand
callforitsmagistrates.Take,ifyoulike,Lucius\aBibulusandGaiusCaesaryouwillsee
that,thoughthesecolleagueswerethebitterestfoes,theirfortunesagreed.
LuciusBibulus,agood,ratherthanastrong,man,hadtwosonsmurderedatthe
sametime,andthat,too,byEgyptiansoldiery,whohadsubjectedthemtoinsult,sothat
notlessthanthebereavementitselfthesourceofitwasamatterthatcalledfortears.Yet
Bibulus,who,duringthewholeyearofhisconsulship,onaccountofhisjealousyofhis
colleague,hadstayedathomeinretirement,\bonthedayafterhehadheardofthe
twofoldmurdercameforthandperformedtheroutinedutiesofhisoffice.\cWhocan
devotelessthanonedaytomourningfortwosons?Soquicklydidheendhisgriefforhis
childrenhewhohadgrievedfortheconsulshipayear.
GaiusCaesar,whenhewastraversingBritain,andcouldnotendurethateventhe
oceanshouldsetboundstohissuccess,heardthathisdaughter\dhaddepartedand
withherwentthefateoftherepublic.

d\Julia,thewifeofPompey,whosesuddendeathin64B.C.precipitatedthe
estrangementofCaesarandPompey.
<Ess245>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xiv.3xv.4
ItwasalredyplaintohiseyesthatGnaeusPompeiuswouldnotendurewithcalmness
thatanyothershouldbecome"great"inthecommonwealth,andwouldplaceacheck
uponhisownadvancement,whichseemedtocausehimoffenceevenwhenitwas
increasingtotheircommoninterest.Yetwithinthreedayshereturnedtohisdutiesasa
general,andconqueredhisgriefasquicklyashewaswonttoconquereverything.Why
shouldIrecalltoyouthebereavementsoftheotherCaesars,whomFortuneseemsto
meattimesdeliberatelytooutrageinorderthatsoalsotheymaybenefitthehumanrace
byshowingthatnoteventheywhoaresaidtobebornfromgods,andtobedestinedto
givebirthtogods,\acanhavethesamepowerovertheirownfortunethattheyhaveover
thefortuneofothers.
ThedeifiedAugustus,whenhehadlosthischildrenandhisgrandchildren,andthe
supplyofCaesarshadbeenexhausted,bolsteredhisdepletedhousebyadoption
neverthelessheborehislotwiththebraveryofonewhowasalreadycountingita
personalaffair\bandhisdeepestconcernthatnomanshouldmakecomplaintofthe
gods.TiberiusCaesarlostboththesonhehadbegottenandthesonhehadadopted\c
neverthelesshehimselfdeliveredapanegyricuponhisownson\dfromtheRostra,and
hestoodtherebesidethecorpse,whichlayinplainview,withbutaveilintervening,so
thattheeyesofahighpriest\emightnotlookuponacorpse,and,whiletheRoman
peoplewept,hedidnotevenchangecountenance.ToSejanus,standingbyhisside,he
offeredanexampleofhowpatientlyhecouldendurethelossofhisdearones!\f
Youseehowlongisthelistofmenwhoweremost
<Ess247>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xv.4xvi.3
eminentandyetwerenotexemptedfromthismisfortunethatlayseverythinglowmen,
too,uponwhomsomanygiftsofmindhadbeenheaped,somanydistinctionsinpublic
andprivatelife!Butitisveryplainthatthisstormofdisastermovesuponitsround,lays
wasteeverythingwithoutdistinction,anddriveseverythingbeforeitasitsprey.Orderall
menonebyonetocomparetheiraccountsnomanhasescapedpayingthepenaltyfor
beingborn.Iknowwhatyouaresaying:"Youforgetthatyouaregivingcomforttoa
womantheexamplesyouciteareofmen."
ButwhohasassertedthatNaturehasdealtgrudginglywithwomen'snaturesand
hasnarrowlyrestrictedtheirvirtues?Believeme,theyhavejustasmuchforce,justas
muchcapacity,iftheylike,forvirtuousactiontheyarejustasabletoenduresufferingand
toilwhentheyareaccustomedtothem.Inwhatcity,goodheavens,arewethustalking?
InthecitywhereLucretiaandBrutus\atoretheyokeofakingfromtheheadsofthe
RomanstoBrutusweoweliberty,toLucretiaweoweBrutus.
InthecitywhereCloelia,\bwhobravedboththeenemyandtheriverhasbeen
almosttransferredbyus,onaccountofhersignalcourage,tothelistofheroes:the
statueofCloelia,mounteduponahorse,standsontheSacredWayinthecity'sbusiest
quarter,and,asouryoungcoxcombsmounttotheircushionedseats,shetauntsthem
withjourneyinginsuchafashioninacityinwhichevenwomenhavebeenpresentedwith
ahorse!{feminism+}Butifyouwishmetociteexamplesofwomenwhohavebravely
sufferedthelossofdearones,Ishallnotgofromdoortodoortofindthem.Fromone
familyIshallpresent
<Ess249>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xvi.36
toyouthetwoCorneliasthefirstone,thedaughterofScipioandmotheroftheGracchi.
Twelvebirthsdidsherecallbyasmanydeaths.Therestwhomthestateneverknewas
eitherbornorlostmatterlittleasforTiberiusandGaius,whoeventhemanwhodenies
thattheyweregoodwilladmitweregreatmen,shesawthemnotonlymurderedbutleft
unburied.Yettothosewhotriedtocomfortherandcalledherunfortunateshesaid:"Never
shallIadmitthatIamnotfortunate,IwhohavebornetheGracchi."Cornelia,thewifeof
LiviusDrusus,hadlostason,ayoungman\aofdistinguishedabilityandverygreat
renown,who,whilefollowinginthefootstepsoftheGracchi,waskilledathisownhearth
byanunknownmurderer,justwhenhehadsomanymeasurespendingandwasatthe
heightofhisfame.Yetsheshowedasmuchcourageinsupportingthedeathofherson,
untimelyandunavengedasitwas,ashehadshowninsupportinghislaws.
IfFortune,Marcia,haspiercedtheScipiosandthemothersanddaughtersofthe
Scipioswithherdarts,ifwiththemshehasassailedtheCaesars,willyounotnowpardon
herifshehasnotheldthembackevenfromyou?Lifeisbesetwithfullmanyandvaried
misfortunestheygranttonoonelongextendedpeace,scarcelyevenatruce.Four
children,Marcia,youhadborne.Notasingledart,theysay,thatishurledintothethickof
thelinefallswithoutavictimisitsurprisingthatsuchacompanyasyourshasnotbeen
abletogetbywithoutincurringenvyandharm?ButFortunewasallthemoreunfair
becauseshenotonlycarriedoffyoursonsbutchosethemout!Yetyoushouldnevercall
itanin
<Ess251>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xvi.6xvii.1
justicetobeforcedtoshareequallywithonemorepowerfulshehasleftyoutwo
daughtersandthechildrenofthese.Andeventhesonwhomyou,forgetfulofanearlier
loss,mournsodeeplyhasnotbeenutterlytakenfromyouyoustillhavethetwo
daughtersheleftgreatburdensifyouareweak,greatcomfortsifyouarebrave.Do
bringyourselftothiswheneveryouseethem,letthemremindyouofyoursonandnotof
yourgrief!Whenthefarmerseeshisfruittreesallruinedcompletelyuprootedbythe
wind,ortwistedandbrokenbythesuddenfuryofacyclonehenursestheyoungstock
theyhaveleft,andimmediatelyplantsseedsandcuttingstoreplacethetreesthatwere
lostandinamoment(foriftimecausesspeedyandswiftdestruction,itlikewisecauses
swiftandspeedygrowth)moreflourishingtreesgrowupthanthosehelost.Doyouno
nowputthesedaughtersofyoursonMetiliusinhisstead,andfillthevacantplace,and
lightenyoursorrowforonebydrawingcomfortfromtwo!Yetsuchisthenatureof
mortalsthattheyfindnothingsopleasingaswhattheyhavelostyearningforwhatis
takenawaymakesustoounfairtowardswhatisleft.Butifyouarewillingtocountuphow
verymercifulFortunehasbeentoyouevenwhenshewasangry,youwillfindthatshe
hasleftyoumuchbesideconsolationslookatallyourgrandchildren,yourtwodaughters.
And,Marcia,saythisalsotoyourself:"Imightindeedbedisturbed,ifeveryone'slot
accordedwithhisconduct,andifevilsneverpursuedthegoodasitis,Iseethatthereis
nodistinctionandthatthegoodandthebadaretossedtoandfroafterthesamefashion.
{Job+}
"Neverthelessitishard,"youreply,"tolosea
<Ess253>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xvii.14
sonwhomyouhaverearedtoyoungmanhoodjustwhenhismother,justwhenhisfather
wasfindinghimtheirstayandpride."Whowilldenythatitishard?Butitisthecommon+
lot.Tothisendwereyouborntolose,toperish,tohope,tofear,todisquietyourselfand
others,bothtofeardeathandtolongforit,and,worstofall,nevertoknowtherealterms
ofyourexistence.SupposeamanshouldbeplanningavisittoSyracuseandsomeone
shouldsaytohim:"Firstinformyourselfofallthedisagreeableandallthepleasurable
featuresofyourfuturejourney,andthensetsail.Thethingsthatmayfillyouwithwonder
arethese.First,youwillseetheislanditself,cutofffromItalybyanarrowstrait,butonce
evidentlyjoinedtothemainlandtheretheseasuddenlybrokethrough,and
SeveredSicilyfromHesperia'sside.\a
Next,youwillseeCharybdisforitwillbepossibleforyoutoskirtthisgreediestof
whirlpools,sofamousinstoryrestingquietlysolongasthereisnowindfromthesouth,
butwheneveragaleblowsfromthatquarter,suckingdownshipsintoitshugeanddeep
maw.YouwillseethefountainofArethusa,oftfamedinsong,withitsbrightgleaming
pool,transparenttotheverybottom,andpouringforthitsicywaterswhetheritfound
themtherewheretheyfirsthadbirth,oryieldedupariverthathadplungedbeneaththe
earth\band,glidingintactbeneathsomanyseas,hadbeenkeptfromthecontaminationof
lesspurewater.{Kubla_Khan+}Youwillseeaharbour,\cofallhavensthemostpeaceful
whetherthosethatNaturehassettogivesheltertoshipsorthatman'shandhas
improvedandsosafethatnoteventhefuryof
<Ess255>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xvii.47
themostviolentstormscanhaveaccessthere.YouwillseewherethemightofAthens
wasbroken,wheresomanythousandsofcaptiveswereconfinedinthatnaturalprison,\a
hewnoutofsolidrocktoimmeasurabledepthyouwillseethegreatcityitself,occupying
abroaderextentofterritorythanmanyametropoliscanboast,wherethewintersarethe
balmiest,andnotasingledaypasseswithouttheappearanceofthesun.But,having
learnedofallthesethings,youwilldiscoverthattheblessingsofitswinterclimateare
ruinedbyoppressiveandunwholesomesummers.Youwillfindtherethetyrant
Dionysius,thatdestroyeroffreedom,justice,andlaw,greedyofpower,evenafter
knowingPlato,andofevenafterexile!\bSomehewillburn,somehewillflog,somefora
slightoffencehewillordertobebeheaded,hewillcallformalesandfemalestosatisfyhis
lust,andtoenjoytwoatonetimeofhisshamefulvictimswillwillsufficeforhisroyal
excesses.Youhavenowheardwhatmayattract,whatrepelyounow,then,eitherset
sailorstayathome!Ifaftersuchawarninganyoneshoulddeclarethathedesiredto
enterSyracuse,againstwhombuthimselfcouldhefindjustcauseforcomplaint,sincehe
wouldnothavestumbleduponthoseconditions,buthavecomeintothempurposelyand
withfullknowledge?
ToallofusNaturesays:"Ideceivenoone.Ifyoubearsons,itmaybethatthey
willbehandsome,itmaybethattheywillbeuglyperchancetheywillbeborndumb.
Someoneofthem,itmaybe,willbethesaviourofhiscountry,oraslikelyitsbetrayer.It
isnotbeyondhopethattheywillwinsomuchesteemthatoutofregardforthemnonewill
venturetospeakevilofyouyetbearinmind,too,thattheymaysink
<Ess257>
TOMARCIA,CONSOLATION,xvii.7xviii.3
tosuchgreatinfamythattheythemselveswillbecomeyourcurse.
Thereisnothingtoforbidthattheyshouldperformthelastsadritesforyou,and
thatthosewhodeliveryourpanegyricshouldbeyourchildren,but,too,holdyourselfready
toplaceyoursonuponthepyre,beheladormanorgraybeardforyearshavenothingto
dowiththematter,sinceeveryfuneralisuntimelyatwhichaparentfollowsthebier."If,
aftertheseconditionshavebeensetforth,youbringforthchildren,youmustfreethegods
fromallblamefortheyhavemadeyounopromises.
Comenow,applythispicturetoyourentranceintolifeasawhole.Ihavesetforth
whatcouldtheredelightyou,whatoffendyou,ifyouweredebatingwhetheryoushould
visitSyracuseconsiderthatIamcomingnowtogiveyouadviceatyourbirth:"Youare
abouttoenteracity,"Ishouldsay,"sharedbygodsandmenacitythatembracesthe
universe,thatisboundbyfixedandeternallaws,thatholdsthecelestialbodiesaasthey
whirlthroughtheirunweariedrounds.{stars_from_wrong+}Youwillseetherethe
gleamingofcountlessstars,youwillseeonestarfloodingeverythingwithhislightthe
sunthatmarksoffthespacesofdayandnightinhisdailycourse,andinhisannual
coursedistributesevenmoreequablytheperiodsofsummerandwinter.Youwillseethe
moontakinghisplacebynight,whoasshemeetsherbrotherborrowsfromhimapale,
reflectedlight,nowquitehidden,nowoverhangingtheearthwithherwholefaceexposed,
everchangingasshewaxesandwanes,everdifferentfromherlastappearance.Youwill
seethefiveplanetsapursuingtheirdifferentcoursesand
<Ess259>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xviii.36
strivingtostemtheheadlongwhirl\aofheavenoneventheslightestmotionsofthese
hangthefortunesofnations,andthegreatestandsmallesthappeningsareshapedto
accordwiththeprogressofakindlyorunkindlystar.{Wdswth+}Youwillwonderatthe
piledupcloudsandthefallingwatersandthezigzaglightningandtheroarofheaven.
Whenyoureyesaresatedwiththespectacleofthingsaboveandyoulowerthemto
earth,anotheraspectofthings,andotherwisewonderful,willmeetyourgaze.Onthis
sideyouwillseelevelplainsstretchingouttheirboundlessexpanse,ontheother,
mountainsrisingingreat,snowcladridgesandliftingtheirpeakstoheavendescending
streamsandriversthatrisefromonesourceflowingbothtotheeastandtothewest,and
wavingtreesonthetopmostsummitsandvastforestswiththecreaturesthatpeople
them,andbirdsblendingintoharmonythediscordoftheirsongs.Youwillseecitiesin
diverseplaces,andthenationsfencedoffbynaturalbarriers,someofthemwithdrawnto
mountainheights,andothersintheirfearhuggingtheriverbanks,lakes,andvalleys
cornfieldsassistedbycultivationandorchardsthatneednonetotendtheirwildnessand
brooksflowinggentlythroughthemeadows,lovelybays,andshorescurvinginwardsto
formaharbourthecountlessislandsthatarescatteredoverthedeepand,breakingupits
expanse,studtheseas.Andwhatofthegleamingofpreciousstonesandjewels,andthe
goldthatrollsdownamidthesandsofrushingstreams,andtheflamingtorchesthatsoar
fromthemidstofthelandandattimesevenfromthemidstofthesea,andtheoceanthat
encirclesthelands,severingthecontinu
<Ess261>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xviii.6xix.1
ityofthenationsbyitsthreegulfs\aandboilingupinmightyrage?Hereyouwillseeits
waterstroubledandrisingupinbillows,stirrednotbythewindbutbyswimmingmonsters
thatsurpassinsizeallcreaturesoftheland,someofthemsluggishandmovingunder
theguidance\bofanother,othersnimbleandmoreswiftthanrowersatfullspeed,andstill
othersthatdrinkinthewatersoftheseaandblowthemouttothegreatperilofthosewho
aresailingby.Youwillseehereshipssearchingforlandsthattheydonotknowyouwill
seemaninhisaudacityleavingnothinguntried,andyouwillyourselfbebothaspectator
andapartnerofmightyenterprises{Ulysses+}{Faust+}youwilllearnandwillteachthe
arts,ofwhichsomeservetomaintainlife,sometoadornit,andotherstoregulateit.But
there,too,willbefoundathousandplagues,banesofthebodyaswellasofthemind,
wars,robberies,poisons,shipwreeks,distempersofclimateandofthebody,untimely
griefforthosemostdear,anddeathwhetheraneasyoneoronlyafterpainandtorture
noonecantell.{Liberal_Arts+}Nowtakecounselofyourselfandweighcarefullythe
choiceyoumakeifyouwouldreachthesewonders,youmustpassthroughtheseperils."
Willyouranswerbethatyouchoosetolive?Ofcourseitwillnay,perhaps,onsecond
thought,youwillnotenteruponastateinwhichtosufferanylosscausesyoupain!Live,
then,uponthetermsyouhaveaccepted."But,"yousay,"noonehasconsultedus."Yet
ourpsarentshavebeenconsultedaboutus,andthey,knowingthetermsoflife,have
rearedustoacceptthem.But,tocomebacknowtothesubjectofconsolation,letus
consider,first,whatwoundmustbehealed,and,second,inwhatway.Onesourceof
griefisthe
<Ess263>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xix.14
longingwehaveforonethatwehavelost.Butitisevidentthatthisinitselfisbearable
for,solongastheyarealive,wedonotshedtearsforthosewhoareabsentorwillsoon
beabsent,althoughalongwiththesightofthemwearerobbedofallenjoymentofthem.
Whattorturesus,therefore,isanopinion,andeveryevilisonlyasgreataswehave
reckonedittobe.Inourownhandswehavetheremedy.Letusconsiderthatthedead
aremerelyabsent,andletusdeceiveourselveswehavesentthemontheirwaynay,
wehavesentthemaheadandshallsoonfollow.
Anothersourceofgriefisthethought:"Ishallhavenoonetoprotectme,nooneto
keepmefrombeingdespised."IfImayemployaconsolationbynomeanscreditablebut
true,inthiscityofourschildlessnessbestowsmoreinfluencethanittakesaway,andthe
lonelinessthatusedtobeadetrimenttooldage,nowleadstosomuchpowerthatsome
oldmenpretendtohatetheirsonsanddisowntheirchildren,andbytheirownactmake
themselveschildless.\aYetIknowwhatyouwillsay:"Myownlossesdonotstirmefor
noparentisworthyofconsolationwhosorrowsoverthelossofasonjustashewould
overthelossofaslave,whointhecaseofasonhasroomtoconsideranythingexcept
thesonhimself."Whatthen,Marcia,isitthattroublesyou?thefactthatyoursonhas
died,orthathedidnotlivelong?Ifitisthathehasdied,thenyouhadalwaysreasonto
grieveforyoualwaysknewthathewouldhavetodie.
Reflectthattherearenoillstobesufferedafterdeath,thatthereportsthatmake
theLowerWorldterribletousaremeretales,thatnodarknessisinstoreforthedead,no
prison,noblazingstreamsof
<Ess265>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xix.4xx.1
fire,noriverofLethe,thatnojudgementseatsarethere,norculprits,norinthatfreedom
sounfetteredarethereasecondtimeanytyrants.Allthesethingsarethefanciesofthe
poets,whohaveharroweduswithgroundlessterrors.Deathisareleasefromall
suffering,aboundarybeyondwhichourillscannotpassitrestoresustothatpeaceful
stateinwhichwelaybeforewewereborn.Ifanyonepitiesthedead,hemustalsopity
thosewhohavenotbeenborn.Deathisneitheragoodnoranevilforthatonlywhichis
somethingisabletobeagoodoranevil.Butthatwhichisitselfnothingandreducesall
thingstonothingnessconsignsustoneithersphereoffortuneforevilsandgoodsmust
operateupon,somethingmaterial.Fortunecannotmaintainaholduponthatwhich
Naturehasletgo,norcanhebewretchedwhoisnonexistent.Yoursonhaspassed
beyondthoseboundarieswithinwhichthereisservitudeagreatandeverlastingpeace
haswelcomedhim.Nofearofwantassailshim,noanxictyfromriches,nostingsoflust+
thatthroughthepleasureofthebodyrendsthesoulenvyofanother'sprosperitytouches
himnot,envyofhisownafflictshimnot,noreproacheseverassailhisunoffendingears
nodisastereithertohiscountryortohimselfdoeshedescry,nordoeshe,insuspense
aboutthefuture,hanguponthedistantoutcomethateverrepayswithevermore
uncertainty.Atlasthehasanabidingplacefromwhichnothingcandrivehim,where
nothingcanaffrighthim.
Oignorantaretheyoftheirills,whodonotlauddeathandlookforwardtoitasthe
mostpreciousdiscoveryofNature!Whetheritshutsoffprosperity,orrepelscalamity,or
terminatesthesatietyand
<Ess267>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xx.13
wearinessoftheoldman,orleadsofftheyouthinthebloomoflifewhilehestillhopesfor
happierthings,orcallsbacktheboybeforetheharsherstagesoflifearereached,itisto
alltheend,tomanyarelief,tosomeananswertoprayer,andtononedoesitshowmore
favourthantothosetowhomitcomesbeforeitisaskedfor!Deathfreestheslave
thoughhismasterisunwillingitlightensthecaptive'schainsfromthedungeonitleads
forththosewhomunbridledpower\ahadforbiddentoleaveittoexiles,whoseeyesand
mindsareeverturningtotheirnativeland,deathshowsthatitmakesnodifference
beneathwhosesoilamanmaylie.IfFortunehasapportionedunjustlythecommon
goods+,andhasgivenoveronemantoanotherthoughtheywerebornwithequalrights,
deathlevelsallthingsthisitis,afterwhosecomingnooneanymoredoesthewillof
anotherthisitis,underwhoseswaynooneisawareofhislowlyestatethisitis,thatlies
opentoeveryonethisitis,Marcia,thatyourfathereagerlydesiredthisitis,Isay,that
keepsmybirthfrombeingapunishment,thatkeepsmefromfallinginthefaceof
threateningmisfortunes,thatmakesitpossibletokeepmysoulunharmedandmasterof
itself{invictus+}:Ihavealastappeal.YonderIseeinstrumentsoftorture,notindeedofa
singlekind,butdifferentlycontrivedbydifferentpeoplessomehangtheirvictimswith
headtowardtheground,someimpaletheirprivateparts,othersstretchouttheirarmson
aforkshapedgibbetIseecords,Iseescourges,andforeachseparatelimbandeach
jointthereisaseparateengineoftorture!ButIseealsoDeath.There,too,are
bloodthirstyenemiesandproudfellowcountrymenbutyonder,too,IseeDeath.Slavery
isnohardshipwhen,ifa
<Ess269>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xx.35
manweariesoftheyoke,byasinglestephemaypasstofreedom.
OLife,bythefavourofDeathIholdtheedear!
Thinkhowgreataboonatimelydeathoffers,howmanyhavebeenharmedby
livingtoolong!IfGnaeusPompeius,thatgloryandstayoftherealm,hadbeencarriedoff
byhisillnessatNaples,\ahewouldhavedepartedtheunchallengedheadoftheRoman
people.Butasitwas,averybriefextensionoftimecasthimdownfromhispinnacle.He
sawhislegionsslaughteredbeforehiseyes,andfromthatbattlewherethefirstlinewas
thesenate,\bhesawwhatamelancholyremnant\cthecommanderhimselfleftalive!
HesawanEgyptianhisexecutioner,andyieldedtoaslaveabodythatwassacrosanctto
thevictors,\dthoughevenhadhebeenunharmed,hewouldhaverepentedofhisescape
forwhatwerehaserthanthataPompeyshouldlivebythebountyofaking!IfMarcus
CicerohadfallenatthemomentwhenheescapedthedaggersofCatiline,whichwere
aimednotlessathimthanathiscountry,ifhehadfallenasthesaviourofthe
commonwealthwhichhehadfreed,ifhisdeathhadfollowedcloseuponthatofhis
daughter,\eeventhenhemighthavediedhappy.Hewouldnothaveseenswordsdrawn
totakethelivesofRomancitizens,norassassinsparcellingoutthegoodsoftheirvictims
inorderthatthesemightevenbemurderedattheirowncost,northespoilsofaconsul\f
putupat

eTullia,whodiedin45B.C.
fCf.Cicero,Phil.ii.64:"hastapositaproaedeIovisStatorisbonaCn.Pompei
(miserumme!consumptisenimlacrimistameninfixushaeretanimodolor),bona,
inquam,Cn.PoinpeiMagnivociacerbissimaesubiectapraeconis!"
<Ess271>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xx.5xxi.2
publicauction,normurderscontractedforofficially,norbrigandageandwarandpillage
somanynewCatilines!
IftheseahadswallowedupMarcusCatoashewasreturningfromCyprusand
hisstewardshipoftheroyallegacy,\aandalongwithhimeventhemoneywhichhewas
bringingtodefraytheexpenseoftheCivilWar,woulditnotthentheconvictionthatno
onewouldhavetheeffronterytodowronginthepresenceofCato!Asitwas,having
gainedtherespiteofaveryfewyears,thathero,whowasbornnolessforpersonalthan
forpoliticalfreedom,wasforcedtofleefromCaesarandtosubmittoPompey.
Toyourson,therefore,thoughhisdeathwaspremature,itbroughtnoillrather
hasitreleasedhimfromsufferingillsofeverysort."Yet,"yousay,"heperishedtoosoon
andbeforehistime."Inthefirstplace,supposehehadsurvivedgranthimthevery
longestlifeamancanhavehowmanyyearsarethereafterall?Bornasweareforthe
briefestspace,anddestinedsoontoyieldplacetoanothercomingintohisleaseoftime,
weviewourlifeasasojournataninn."Our"lifedoIsay,whenTimehurriesitonwith
suchineredibleswiftness?Countthecenturiesofcitiesyouwillseehoweventhosethat
boastoftheirgreatagehavenotexistedlong.Allthingshumanareshortlivedand
perishable,andfillnopartatallofinfinitetime.Thisearthwithitscitiesandpeoples,its
riversandthegirdleofthesea,ifmeasuredbytheuniverse,wemaycountameredot
ourlife,ifcomparedwithalltime,isrelativelyevenlessthanadotforthecom
<Ess273>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xxi.26
passofeternityisgreaterthanthatoftheworld,sincetheworldrenews\aitselfoverand
overwithintheboundsoftime.What,then,istobegainedbylengtheningoutthatwhich,
howevermuchshallbeaddedontoit,willstillnotbefarfromnothing?Thetimeweliveis
muchinonlyonewayifitisenough!Youmaynametomemenwhowerelonglived
andattainedanagethathasbecomeproverbial,andyoumaycountupahundredandten
yearsforeach,yetwhenyouturnyourthoughtuponeternaltime,ifyoucomparethe
spacethatyoudiscoveramanhaslivedwiththespacethathehasnotlived,notawhitof
differencewillyoufindbetweentheshortestandthelongestlife.Again,yoursonhimself
wasripefordeathforhelivedaslongasheneededtolivenothingfurtherwasleftfor
himtodo.Thereisnouniformtimeforoldageinthecaseofmen,norindeedofanimals
either.Someanimalsareexhaustedwithinthespaceoffourteenyears,andtheirlongest
lifeisnomorethanthefirststageofaman'stoeachhasbeengivenadifferentcapacity
forliving.Nomandiestoosoon,becausehelivesonlyaslongashewasdestinedtolive.
Foreachtheboundarylineismarkedwhereithasbeenonceplaced,itwillalways
remain,andnoendeavourorfavourwillmoveitfartheron.Lookatthematterthusyou
lostyoursoninaccordancewithafixedplan.Hehadhisday
Andreachedthegoalofhisallottedyears.\b
Andsoyoumustnotburdenyourselfwiththethought:"Hemighthavelivedlonger."His
lifehasnotbeencutshort,nordoesChanceeverthrustitselfintotheyears.Whathas
beenpromisedtoeachman,ispaidtheFatesgotheirway,andneitheraddany
<Ess275>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xxi.6xxii.2
thingtowhathasoncebeenpromised,norsubtractfromit.Prayersandstrugglesareall
invaineachonewillgetjusttheamountthatwasplacedtohiscreditonthefirstdayof
hisexistence.Thatdayonwhichhefirstsawthelight,heentereduponthepathtodeath
anddrewevernearertohisdoom,andtheveryyearsthatwereaddedtohisyouthwere
subtractedfromhislife.Weallfallintotheerrorofthinkingthatonlythosewhoareold
andalreadyonthedownwardpatharetendingtowarddeath,whereasearliestinfancy,
middleage,everyperiodoflifeindeedleadsinthatdirection.TheFatesplytheirwork
theykeepusfrombeingconsciousthatwearedying,and,tohaveitstealuponusthe
moreeasily,deathlurksbeneaththeverynameoflifeinfancychangesintoboyhood,
boyhoodintoadolescence,andoldagestealsawaytheageofmaturity.Ourverygains,if
youreckonthemproperly,arelosses.Doyoucomplain,Marcia,thatyoursondidnotlive
aslongashemighthavelived?Forhowdoyouknowwhetheritwasadvisableforhimto
livelonger?whetherhisinterestwasservedbysuchadeath?Canyouthisdayfind
anyonewhosefortunesaresohappilyplacedandsofirmlygroundedthathehasnothing
tofearfromtheadvanceoftime?Humanaffairsareunstableandfleeting,andnopartof
ourlifeissofrailandperishableasthatwhichgivesmostpleasure,andthereforeatthe
heightofgoodfortuneweoughttoprayfordeath,sinceinalltheinconstancyandturmoil
oflifewecanfeelsureofnothingexceptthepast.Andyoursonwhowassohandsome
inbodyandundertheeyesofadissolutecityhadbeenkeptpurebyhisstrictregardfor
chastity
<Ess277>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xxii.24
whatassurancehaveyouthathecouldhaveescapedthemanydiseasesthereare,and
sohavepreservedtheunimpairedbeautyofhispersondowntooldage?Andthinkofthe
thousandtaintsofthesoul!Forevennoblenaturesdonotsupportcontinuouslyintoold
agetheexpectationstheyhadstirredintheiryouth,butareoftenturnedasidetheyeither
fallintodissipation,whichcominglateisforthatreasonthemoredisgraceful,andbegins
totarnishthebrillianceoftheirfirstyears,ortheysinkwhollytothelevelofthe
eatinghouseandthebelly,andwhattheyshalleatandwhattheyshalldrinkbecometheir
chiefconcern.Tothisaddfiresandfallinghouses,andshipwrecksandtheagoniesfrom
surgeonsastheypluckbonesfromthelivingbody,andthrusttheirwholehandsdeepinto
thebowels,andtreattheprivatepartsatthecostofinfinitepain.Andbesidesallthese
thereisexilesurelyyoursonwasnotmoreblamelessthanRutilius\a!andtheprison
surelyhewasnotwiserthanSocrates!andthesuicide'sdagger,piercingtheheart
surelyhewasnotmoreholythanCato!Ifyouwillconsiderallthesepossibilities,youwill
learnthatthosewhoaretreatedmostkindlybyNaturearethosewhomsheremovesearly
toaplaceofsafety,becauselifehadinstoresomesuchpenaltyasthis.Yes,nothingis
sodeceptiveashumanlife,nothingissotreacherous.Heavenknows!notoneofus
wouldhaveaccepteditasagift,wereitnotgiventouswithoutourknowledge.If,
therefore,thehappiestlotisnottobeborn,{Sophocles+}thenextbest,Ithink,istohave
abrieflifeandbydeathtoberestoredquickytotheoriginalstate.\b
Recallthattime,sobitterforyou,whenSejanushandedoveryourfathertohis
client,Satrius
<Ess279>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xxii.46
Secundus,asalargess.Hewasangrybecauseyourfather,notbeingabletoendurein
silencethataSejanusshouldbesetuponournecks,muchlessclimbthere,hadspoken
outonceortwiceratherboldly.Sejanuswasbeingvotedthehonourofastatue,which
wastobesetupinthetheatreofPompey,justthenbeingrestoredbyTiberiusafterafire.
WhereuponCordusexclaimed:"Nowthetheatreisruinedindeed!"What!Wasitnotto
burstwithragetothinkofaSejanusplantedupontheashesofGnaeusPompeius,a
disloyalsoldierhallowedbyastatueinamemorialtooneofthegreatestgenerals?
Hallowed,too,wasthesignatureofSejanus!andthosefiercestofdogs\,bwhich,savage
towardallothers,hekeptfriendlyonlytohimselfbyfeedingthemonhumanblood,began
tobarkaroundthatgreatman,\cwhowasalreadycaughtinatrap.Whatwashetodo?If
hewishedtolive,hehadtomakehispleatoSejanusifhewishedtodie,tohisown
daughter,andbothwereinexorable.Sohedeterminedtodeceivehisdaughter.
Therefore,havingtakenabathandseekingtoreducehisstrengthstillfurther,heretiredto
hisbedchamber,givingoutthathewouldhaveluncheontherethen,havingdismissedthe
slaves,hethrewpartofthefoodoutofthewindowinordertohaveitappearthathehad
eatenitlaterherefuseddinneronthepretextthathehadalreadyeatenenoughinhis
room.Hedidthesamethingalsoontheseconddayandthethirddayonthefourth,the
veryweaknessofhisbodyrevealedthetruth.Andso,takingyouintohisarms,hesaid:
"Mydearestdaughter,nothinginmywholelifehave

bThedelators,orunscrupulouspoliticalaccusers,whowerethetoolsofSejanus.
cCordus.
<Ess281>
TOMARCIA,CONSOLATION,xxii.6xxiii.2
Ieverconcealedfromyoubutthis,butIhaveenteredupontheroadtodeath,andamnow
almosthalfwaythereyoucannotandyououghtnottocallmeback."Andso,having
orderedalllighttobeshutout,heburiedhimselfindeepdarkness.Whenhispurpose
wasrecognized,therewasgeneralrejoicing,becausethejawsoftheraveningwolves
werebeingcheatedoftheirprey.AttheinstigationofSejanus,accusersofCordus
appearedbeforethetribunaloftheconsuls,complainedthattheirvictimwasdying,and
beggedthemtopreventtheverythingtheyhadforceduponhimsostronglydidtheyfeel
thatCorduswasescapingthem!Thegreatquestionindisputewaswhetheranaccused
manlosthisrighttodiewhilethematterwasbeingdebated,whilehisaccuserswere
makingtheirpleaasecondtime,hehadalreadygainedhisfreedom.Doyounotsee,
Marcia,whatgreatvicissitudesoffortuneassailusunexpectedlywhenthetimesareevil?
Weepyoubecauseoneofyourdearoneswasrequiredtodie?Onewasverynearlynot
allowed.
Besidesthefactthatallthefutureisuncertain,andmorecertaintobeworsethan
otherwise,itistruethatthesoulsthatarequicklyreleasedfromintercoursewithmenfind
thejourneytothegodsabovemosteasyfortheycarrylessweightofearthlydross.Set
freebeforetheybecomehardened,beforetheyaretoodeeplycontaminatedbythethings
ofearth,theyflybackmorelightlytothesourceoftheirbeing,andmoreeasilywashaway
alldefilementandstain.Andsoulsthataregreatfindnojoyinlingeringinthebodythey
yearntogoforthandbursttheirbonds,andtheychafeagainstthesenarrowbounds,
accustomedastheyaretorangefar
<Ess283>
TOMARCIA,CONSOLATION,xxiii.2xxiv.1.
aloftthroughouttheuniverse,andfromonhightolookdowninscornupontheaffairsof
men.HenceitisthatPlato\acriesoutthatthewisemanreachesoutwithallhismind
towarddeath,longsforit,thinksuponit,andbecauseofthispassionmovesthroughlife
strivingeverforthethingsbeyond.Tellme,Marcia,whenyousawinyourson,youththat
hewas,thewisdomofanoldman,amindvictoriousoverallsensualpleasures,
unblemished,faultless,seekingricheswithoutgreed,honourswithoutostentation,
pleasureswithoutexcess,didyouthinkthatyoucouldlonghavethegoodfortunetokeep
himsafeandunharmed?Whateverhasreachedperfection,isnearitsend.IdealVirtue
hurriesawayandissnatchedfromoureyes,andthefruitsthatripenintheirfirstdaysdo
notwaitlongfortheirlast.Thebrighterafireglows,themorequicklyitdiesthefirethatis
kindledwithtoughandstubbornwood,and,shroudedinsmoke,shineswithamurkylight
islongerlivedforthesameconditionkeepsitalivethatprovidesitgrudgingfood.Sowith
menthebrightertheirspirits,thebriefertheirdayforwhenthereisnoroomforincrease,
destructionisnear.Fabianusrelatesourparentsalsoactuallysawhimthattherewas
atRomeaboywhowasastallasaverytallmanbuthesoondied,andeverysensible
personsaidbeforehandthathewouldpromptlydie,forhecouldnotbeexpectedtoreach
anagethathehadalreadyforestalled.Andsoitisripematurityisthesignofimpending
destructionwhengrowthstops,theendapproaches.
Undertaketoestimatehimbyhisvirtues,notbyhisyears,andyouwillseehelived
longenough.Leftasaward,hewasunderthecareofguardians
<Ess285>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xxiv.14
uptohisfourteenthyear,buthismother'sguardianshiplastedallhislife.Althoughhehad
hisownhearthstone,hedidnotwishtoleaveyours,andatanagewhenmostchildren
canscarcelyendurethesocietyofafather,hepersistedinseekingthatofhismother.As
ayoungman,althoughbyhisstature,beauty,andsurebodilystrength,bornforthecamp,
herefusedmilitaryservicesoasnottoleaveyou.Consider,Marcia,howrarelyit
happensthatmotherswholiveinseparatehousesseetheirchildrenthinkofalltheyears
thatarelosttothosemotherswhohavesonsinthearmy,andtheyarespentinconstant
anxietyyouwillfindthatthisperiodduringwhichyousufferednolosshasbeenvery
extended.Yoursonwasneverremovedfromyoursightwithanabilitythatwas
outstandingandwouldhavemadehimtherivalofhisgrandfatherhadhenotbeen
hamperedbymodesty,whichinthecaseofmanymencheckstheiradvancementby
silence,heshapedallhisstudiesbeneathyoureyes.Thoughhewasayoungmanofthe
rarestbeautyofperson,andwassurroundedbysuchagreathordeofwomen,the
corruptersofmen{Eve_evil+},helenthimselftothehopesofnone,andwhensomeof
themintheireffronterywentsofarastomakeadvancestohim,heblushedwithshame
asifhehadsinnedevenbypleasingthem.Itwasthispurityofcharacterthatmadehim
seemworthyofbeingappointedtothepriesthood\awhilehewasstillaladhismother's
influenceundoubtedlyhelped,but,unlessthecandidatehimselfhadbeengood,evena
mother'sinfluencewouldhavehadnoweight.Inthinkingofallthesevirtuesholdagain,as
itwere,yoursoninyourarms!Hehasnowmoreleisuretodevotetoyou,thereisnothing
nowtocallhimawayfromyou
<Ess287>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xxiv.4xxv.1
neveragainwillhecauseyouanxiety,neveragainanygrief.Theonlysorrowyoucould
possiblyhavefromasonsogoodisthesorrowyouhavehadallelseisnowexemptfrom
thepowerofchance,andholdsnoughtbutpleasureifonlyyouknowhowtoenjoyyour
son,ifonlyyoucometounderstandwhathistruestvaluewas.Onlytheimageofyour
sonandaveryimperfectlikenessitwashasperishedhehimselfiseternalandhas
reachednowafarbetterstate,strippedofalloutwardencumbrancesandleftsimply
himself.Thisvestureofthebodywhichwesee,bonesandsinewsandtheskinthat
coversus,thisfaceandthehandsthatserveusandtherestofourhumanwrapping
thesearebutchainsanddarknesstooursouls.Bythesethingsthesouliscrushedand
strangledandstainedand,imprisonedinerror,iskeptfarfromitstrueandnaturalsphere.
Itconstantlystrugglesagainstthisweightofthefleshintheefforttoavoidbeingdragged
backandsunkiteverstrivestorisetothatplacefromwhichitoncedescended.There
eternalpeaceawaitsitwhenithaspassedfromearth'sdullmotleytothevisionofallthat
ispureandbright.Thereisnoneed,therefore,foryoutohurrytothetombofyourson
whatliesthereishisbasestpartandapartthatinlifewasthesourceofmuchtrouble
bonesandashesarenomorepartsofhimthanwerehisclothesandtheother
protectionsofthebody.Heiscompleteleavingnothingofhimselfbehind,hehasfled
awayandwhollydepartedfromearthforalittlewhilehetarriedaboveuswhilehewas
beingpurifiedandwasriddinghimselfofalltheblemishesandstainthatstillclungtohim
fromhismortalexistence,thensoaredaloftandspedawaytojointhesoulsofthe
blessed.Asaintlyhandgavehimwel
<Ess289>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xxv.1xxvi.1
cometheScipiostndtheCatosand,joinedwiththosewhoscornedlifeandthrougha
droughtofpoisonfoundfreedom,yourfather,Marcia.Althoughthereallareakinwithall,
hekeepshisgrandsonnearhim,and,whileyoursonrejoicesinthenewfoundlight,he
instructshiminthemovementoftheneighbouringstars,andgladlyinitiateshiminto
Nature'ssecrets,notbyguesswork,butbyexperiencehavingtrueknowledgeofthemall
andjustasastrangerisgratefulforaguide,throughanunknowncity,soyourson,ashe
searchesintothecausesofcelestialthings,isgratefulforakinsmanashisinstructor.He
bidshimalsoturnhisgazeuponthethingsofearthfarbelowforitisapleasuretolook
backuponallthathasbeenleftbehind.Doyoutherefore,Marcia,alwaysactasifyou
knewthattheeyesofyourfatherandyoursonweresetuponyounotsuchasyouonce
knewthem,butfarloftierbeings,dwellinginthehighestheaven.Blushtohavealowor
commonthoughtt,andtoweepforthosedearoneswhohavechangedforthebetter!
Throughoutthefreeandboundlessspacesofeternitytheywandernointerveningseas
blocktheircourse,noloftymountainsorpathlessvalleysorshallowsoftheshifting
Syrtesthereeverywayislevel,and,beingswiftandunencumbered,theyeasilyare
pervioustothematterofthestarsand,inturn,aremingledwithit.\aConsider,therefore,
Marcia,thatyourfather,whoseinfluenceuponyouwasnotlessgreatthanwasyours
uponyourson,usingnolongerthattoneinwhichhebewailedthecivilwars,inwhichhe
himselfproscribedforalltimethesponsorsofproscription,buttheloftiertonethatbefits
hismoreexaltedstate,
<Ess291>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xxvi.24
speakstoyoufromthecitadelofhighheavenandsays:"Why,mydaughter,areyouheld
bysuchlengthysorrow?Whydoyouliveinsuchignoranceofthetruthastobelievethat
oursonwasunfairlytreatedbecause,leavinghisfamilyfortuneswhole,hehimself
returnedtohisforefathers,safeandwhole?Doyounotknowhowmightyarethestorms
ofFortunethatdemolisheverything?Howifsheshowsherselfkindlyandindulgent,itis
onlytothosewhohavethefewestpossibledealingswithher?NeedInametoyouthe
kingswhowouldhavebeenthehappiestofmortalsifdeathhadremovedthemsooner
fromtheevilsthatwerethreatening?oreventheRomanleaderswhowouldlosenota
titheofgreatnessifyoushouldsubtractsomeyearsfromtheirlife?orthoseheroesofthe
highestbirthandfamewhocalmlybowedtheirneckstoreceivethestrokeofasoldier's
sword?Lookbackuponyourfatherandyourgrandfather.Yourgrandfatherfellintothe
powerofaforeignassassinImyselfsufferednomantohaveanypoweroverme,and,
havingcutmyselfofffromfood,IprovedthatIwasascourageousasIseemedtohave
beeninmywritings.Whyshouldthatmemberwhohashadthehappiestdeathbe
longestmournedinourfamily?Wearealltogetherinoneplace,and,releasedfromthe
deepnightthatenvelopsyou,wediscoveramongyounothingthatis,asyouthink,
desirable,nothingthatislofty,nothingglorious,butallislowly,heavyladen,andtroubled,
andbeholdshowsmallafractionofthelightinwhichwedwell!WhyneedIsaythathere
arenorivalarmiesclashingintheirrage,nofleetstoshatteroneanother,noparricides
arehereeitherconceivedorplanned,noforumsringwithstrifethe
<Ess293>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xxvi.46
livelongday,thatnosecrecyishere,butmindsareuncoveredandheartsrevealedand
ourlivesareopenandmanifesttoall,whileeveryageandthingstocomeareranged
beforeoursight?
"Itwasoncemydelighttocompilethehistoryofwhattookplaceinasingle
epoch\ainthemostdistantregionoftheuniverseandamongthemeresthandfulof
people.Nowlmayhavetheviewofcountlesscenturies,thesuccessionandtrainof
countlessages,thewholearrayofyears:Imaybeholdtheriseandfalloffuture
kingdoms,thedownfallofgreatcities,andnewinvasionsofthesea.For,ifthecommon
fatecanbeasolaceforyouryearning,knowthatnothingwillabidewhereitisnowplaced,
thattimewilllayallthingslowandtakeallthingswithit.Andnotsimplymenwillbeits
sport+forhowsmallapartaretheyofFortune'sdomain!butplaces,countries,andthe
greatpartsoftheuniverse.Itwilllevelwholemountains,andinanotherplacewillpilenew
rocksonhighitwilldrinkupseas,turnriversfromtheircourses,and,sunderingthe
communicationofnations,breakuptheassociationandintercourseofthehumanracein
otherplacesitwillswallowupcitiesinyawningchasms,willshatterthemwith
earthquakes,andfromdeepbelowsendforthapestilentialvapouritwillcoverwithfloods
thefaceoftheinhabitedworld,and,delugingtheearth,willkilleverylivingcreature,andin
hugeconflagrationitwillscorchandburnallmortalthings.Andwhenthetimeshallcome
fortheworldtobeblottedoutinorderthatitmaybeginitslifeanew,thesethingswill
destroythemselvesbytheirownpower,andstarswillclashwithstars,andallthefiery
matteroftheworldthatnowshinesinorderlyarraywillblaze
<Ess295>
TOMARCIAONCONSOLATION,xxvi.6
upinacommonconflagration.Thenalsothesoulsoftheblest,whohavepartakenof
immortality,whenitshallseembesttoGodtocreatetheuniverseanewwe,too,amid
thefallinguniverse,shallbeaddedasatinyfractiontothismightydestruction,andshall
bechangedagainintoourformerelements."Happy,Marcia,isyourson,whoalready
knowsthesemysteries!
<Ess297>
DEVITABEATA+
BOOKVII
TOGALLIOONTHEHAPPYLIFE
Tolivehappily,mybrotherGallio,\aisthedesireofallmen,buttheirmindsare
blindedtoaclearvisionofjustwhatitisthatmakeslifehappyandsofarfromitsbeing
easytoattainthehappylife,themoreeagerlyamanstrivestoreachit,thefartherhe
recedesfromitifhehasmadeamistakeintheroadforwhenitleadsintheopposite
direction,hisveryspeedwillincreasethedistancethatseparateshim.
First,therefore,wemustseekwhatitisthatweareaimingatthenwemustlook
aboutfortheroadbywhichwecanreachitmostquickly,andonthejourneyitself,ifonly
weareontherightpath,weshalldiscoverhowmuchofthedistanceweovercomeeach
day,andhowmuchnearerwearetothegoaltowardwhichweareurgedbyanatural
desire.Butsolongaswewanderaimlessly,havingnoguide,andfollowingonlythenoise
anddiscordantcriesofthosewhocallusindifferentdirections,lifewillbeconsumedin
makingmistakeslifethatisbriefevenifweshouldstrivedayandnightforsound
wisdom.Letus,therefore,decidebothuponthegoalanduponthe

1217).HediedbyhisownhandinA.D.66.Tohim,apparentlybeforehisadoption,are
addressedthethreebooksoftheDeIra.Cf.Vol.I,Introd.pp.vii,xiii.
<Ess299>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,i.24
way,andnotfailtofindsomeexperiencedguidewhohasexploredtheregiontowards
whichweareadvancingfortheconditionsofthisjourneyaredifferentfromthoseofmost
travel.Onmostjourneyssomewellrecognizedroadandinquiriesmadeofthe
inhabitantsoftheregionpreventyoufromgoingastraybutonthisoneallthebestbeaten
andthemostfrequentedpathsarethemostdeceptive.{Frost_R+}Nothing,therefore,
needstobemoreemphasizedthanthewarningthatweshouldnot,likesheep,followthe
leadofthethronginfrontofus,travelling,thus,thewaythatallgoandnotthewaythatwe
oughttogo.Yetnothinginvolvesusingreatertroublethanthefactthatweadapt
ourselvestocommonreportinthebeliefthatthebestthingsarethosethathavemetwith
greatapproval,thefactthat,havingsomanytofollow,weliveaftertherule,notof
reason,butofimitation.Theresultofthisisthatpeoplearepiledhigh,oneaboveanother,
astheyrushtodestruction.{Thoreau+}Andjustasithappensthatinagreatcrushof
humanity,whenthepeoplepushagainsteachother,noonecanfalldownwithoutdrawing
alonganother,andthosethatareinfrontcausedestructiontothosebehindthissame
thing,Youmayseehappeningeverywhereinlife.Nomancangowrongtohisownhurt
only,buthewillbeboththecauseandthesponsorofanother'swrongdoing.Foritis
dangeroustoattachone'sselftothecrowdinfront,andsolongaseachoneofusis
morewillingtotrustanotherthantojudgeforhimself,wenevershowanyjudgementin
thematterofliving,butalwaysablindtrust,andamistakethathasbeenpassedonfrom
handtohandfinallyinvolvesusandworksourdestruction.Itistheexampleofother
peoplethatisourundoinglet
<Ess2101>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,i.5ii.3
usmerelyseparateourselvesfromthecrowd,andweshallbemadewhole.Butasitis,
thepopulace,,defendingitsowniniquity,pitsitselfagainstreason.Andsoweseethe
samethinghappeningthathappensattheelections,where,whentheficklebreezeof
popularfavourhasshifted,theverysamepersonswhochosethepraetorswonderthat
thosepraetorswerechosen.{mob+}Thesamethinghasonemomentourfavour,the
nextourdisfavourthisistheoutcomeofeverydecisionthatfollowsthechoiceofthe
majority.
Whenthehappylifeisunderdebate,therewillbenouseforyoutoreplytome,as
ifitwereamatterofvotes:"Thissideseemstobeinamajority."Forthatisjustthe
reasonitistheworseside.Humanaffairsarenotsohappilyorderedthatthemajority
preferthebetterthingsaproofoftheworstchoiceisthecrowd.{Tyranny_of_majority+}
Thereforeletusfindoutwhatisbesttodo,notwhatismostcommonlydonewhatwill
establishourclaimtolastinghappiness,notwhatfindsfavourwiththerabble,whoarethe
worstpossibleexponentsofthetruth.Butbytherabble+Imeannolesstheservantsof
thecourtthantheservantsofthekitchen\aforIdonotregardthecolourofthegarments
thatclothethebody.InratingamanIdonotrelyuponeyesight:Ihaveabetterandsurer
light,bywhichImaydistinguishthefalsefromthetrue.Letthesouldiscoverthegoodof
thesoul.Ifthesouleverhasleisuretodrawbreathandtoretirewithinitselfah!towhat
selftorturewillitcome,andhow,ifitconfessesthetruthtoitself,itwillsay:"AllthatI
havedonehitherto,

aTacitus,Annals,xiii.39.7:"etimbellevulgussubcoronavenundatum,reliquapraeda
victoribuscessit."
<Ess2103>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,ii.3iii.2
IwouldwereundonewhenIthinkofallthatIhavesaid,IenvythedumbofallthatIhave
prayedfor,IratemyprayersasthecursesofmyenemiesofallthatIhavefearedye
gods!howmuchlighteritwouldhavebeenthantheloadofwhatIhavecoveted!With
manyIhavebeenatenmity,and,layingasidehatred,havebeenrestoredtofriendship
withthemifonlytherecanbeanyfriendshipbetweenthewickedwithmyselfIhavenot
yetenteredintofriendship.Ihavemadeeveryefforttoremovemyselffromthemultitude
andtomakemyselfnoteworthybyreasonofsomeendowment.WhathaveI
accomplishedsavetoexposemyselftothedartsofmaliceandshowitwhereitcansting
me?Seeyouthosewhopraiseyoureloquence,whotrailuponyourwealth,whocourt
yourfavour,whoexaltyourpower?Alltheseareeithernowyourenemies,oritamounts
tothesamethingcanbecomesuch.Toknowhowmanyarejealousofyou,countyour
admirers.WhydoInotratherseeksomerealgoodonewhichIcouldfeel,notone
whichIcoulddisplay?Thesethingsthatdrawtheeyesofmen,beforewhichtheyhalt,
whichtheyshowtooneanotherinwonder,outwardlyglitter,butareworthlesswithin."Let
usseeksomethingthatisagoodinmorethanappearancesomethingthatissolid,
constant,andmorebeautifulinitsmorehiddenpartforthisletusdelve.Anditisplaced
notfaroffyouwillfindityouneedonlytoknowwheretostretchoutyourhand.Asitis,
justasifwegropedindarkness,wepassbythingsnearathand,stumblingoverthevery
objectswedesire.
Nottoboreyou,however,withtortuousdetails,Ishallpassoverinsilencethe
opinionsofotherphilo
<Ess2105>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,iii.24
sophers,foritwouldbetedioustoenumerateandrefutethemall.Doyoulistentoours.
ButwhenIsayours,"IdonotbindmyselftosomeparticularoneoftheStoicmastersI,
too,havetherighttoformanopinion.Accordingly,Ishallfollowsoandso,Ishallrequest
soandsotodividethequestion\aperhaps,too,whencalleduponafteralltherest,Ishall
impugnnoneofmypredecessors'opinions,andshallsay:"Isimplyhavethismuchto
add."Meantime,IfollowtheguidanceofNatureadoctrineuponwhichallStoicsare
agreed.NottostrayfromNatureandtomouldourselvesaccordingtoherlawandpattern
thisistruewisdom.
Thehappylife,therefore,isalifethatisinharmonywithitsownnature,anditcan
beattainedinonlyoneway.Firstofall,wemusthaveasoundmindandonethatisin
constantpossessionofitssanitysecond,itmustbecourageous+andenergetic,and,
too,capableofthenoblestfortitude,readyforeveryemergency,carefulofthebodyandof
allthatconcernsit,butwithoutanxietylastly,itmustbeattentivetoalltheadvantagesthat
adornlife,butwithovermuchlovefornone\btheuser,butnottheslave,ofthegiftsof
Fortune.Youunderstand,evenifIdonotsaymore,that,whenoncewehavedrivenaway
allthatexcitesoraffrightsus,thereensuesunbrokentranquillityandenduringfreedomfor
whenpleasuresandfearshavebeenbanished,then,inplaceofallthatistrivialandfragile
andharmfuljustbecauseoftheevilitworks,therecomesuponusfirstaboundlessjoy
thatisfirmandunalterable,thenpeaceandharmonyofthesoulandtruegreatness
coupledwithkindlinessforallferocityisbornfromweakness.{anger+}

b<...Horace's"niladmirari">
<Ess2107>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,iv.13
Itispossiblealsotodefinethisgoodofoursinothertermsthatis,thesameideamaybe
expressedindifferentlanguage.Justasanarmyremainsthesame,thoughatonetimeit
deployswithalongerline,nowismassedintoanarrowspaceandeitherstandswith
hollowedcentreandwingscurvedforward,orextendsastraightenedfront,and,nomatter
whatitsformationmaybe,willkeeptheselfsamespiritandthesameresolvetostandin
defenceoftheselfsamecause,sothedefinitionofthehighestgoodmayatonetimebe
giveninprolixandlengthyform,andatanotherberestrainedandconcise.Soitwillcome
tothesamethingifIsay:"Thehishestgoodisamindthatscornsthehappeningsof
chance,andrejoicesonlyinvirtue,"orsay:"Itisthepowerofthemindtobe
unconquerable,{invictus+}wisefromexperience,calminaction,showingthewhilemuch
courtesyandconsiderationinintercoursewithothers,"Itmayalsobedefinedinthe
statementthatthehappymanishewhorecognizesnogoodandevilotherthanagood
andanevilmindonewhocherisheshonour,iscontentwithvirtue,whoisneitherpuffed
up,norcrushed,bythehappeningsofchance,whoknowsofnogreatergoodthanthat
whichhealoneisabletobestowuponhimself,forwhomtruepleasurewillbethescornof
pleasures.Itispossible,too,ifonechoosestobediscursive,totransferthesameideato
variousotherformsofexpressionwithoutinjuringorweakeningitsmeaning.Forwhat
preventsusfromsayingthatthehappylifeistohaveamindthatisfree+,lofty,fearless
andsteadfastamindthatisplacedbeyondthereachoffear,beyondthereachofdesire,
thatcountsvirtuetheonlygood,basenesstheonlyevil,andallelsebutaworthlessmass
ofthings,whichcome
<Ess2109>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,iv.3v.2
andgowithoutincreasingordiminishingthehighestgood,andneithersubtractanypart
fromthehappylifenoraddanyparttoit?
Amanthusgroundedmust,whetherhewillsornot,necessarilybeattendedby
constantcheerfulnessandajoythatisdeepandissuesfromdeepwithin,sincehefinds
delightinhisownresources,anddesiresnojoysgreaterthanhisinnerjoys.Shouldnot
suchjoysastheseberightlymatchedagainstthepaltryandtrivialandfleetingsensations
ofthewretchedbody?Thedayamanbecomessuperiortopleasure,hewillalsobe
superiortopainbutyouseeinwhatwretchedandbanefulbondagehemustlingerwhom
pleasuresandpains,thosemostcapriciousandtyrannicalofmasters,shallinturn
enslave.{slavery+}Thereforewemustnakeourescapetofreedom+.Buttheonlymeans
ofprocuringthisisthroughindifferencetoFortune.Thenwillbeborntheoneinestimable
blessing,thepeaceandexaltationofamindnowsafelyanchored,and,whenallerroris
banished,thegreatandstablejoythatcomesfromthediscoveryoftruth,alongwith
kindlinessandcheerfulnessofmindandthesourceofaman'spleasureinallofthese
willnotbethattheyaregood,butthattheyspringfromagoodthatishisown.
SeeingthatIamemployingsomefreedomintreatingmysubject,Imaysaythat
thehappymanisonewhoisfreedfrombothfearanddesirebecauseofthegiftof
reason+sinceevenrocksarefreefromfearandsorrow,andnolessarethebeastsof
thefield,yetforallthatnoonecouldsaythatthesethingsare"blissful,"whentheyhave
nocomprehensionofbliss.Putinthesameclassthosepeoplewhosedullnessofnature
andignoranceofthemselveshavereducedthemto
<Ess2111>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,v.2vi.1
thelevelofbeastsofthefieldandofinanimatethings.Thereisnodifferencebetweenthe
oneandtheother,sinceinonecasetheyarethingswithoutreason,andintheothertheir
reasoniswarped,andworkstheirownhurt,beingactiveinthewrongdirectionforno
mancanbesaidtobehappyifhehasbeenthrustoutsidethepaleoftruth.Thereforethe
lifethatishappyhasbeenfoundedoncorrectandtrustworthyjudgement,andis
unalterable.Then,truly,istheminduncloudedandfreedfromeveryill,sinceitknows
howtoescapenotonlydeepwounds,butevenscratches,\aand,resolvedtoholdtothe
endwhateverstandithastaken,itwilldefenditspositionevenagainsttheassaultsofan
angryFortune.Forsofarassensualpleasureisconcerned,thoughitflowsaboutuson
everyside,stealsinthrougheveryopening,softensthemindwithitsblandishments,and
employsoneresourceafteranotherinordertoseduceusinwholeorinpart,yetwhoof
mortals,ifhehasleftinhimonetraceofahumanbeing,wouldchoosetohavehis
sensesticklednightandday,and,forsakingthemind,devotehisattentionwhollytothe
body?"Butthemindalso,"itwillbesaid,"hasitsownpleasures."Letithavethem,in
sooth,andletitposeasajudgeofluxuryandpleasuresletitgorgeitselfwiththethings
thatarewonttodelightthesenses,thenletitlookbackuponthepast,and,recallingfaded
pleasures,letitintoxicateitselfwithformerexperiencesandbeeagernowforthoseto
come,andletitlayitsplans,and,whilethebodylieshelplessfrompresentcramming,let
itdirectitsthoughtstothattocomeyetfromallthis,itseemstome,themindwillbe
morewretchedthanever,sinceitismadnesstochooseevilsinsteadofgoods.But
<Ess2113>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,vi.1vii.3
nomancanbehappyunlessheissane,andnomancanbesanewhosearchesforwhat
willinjurehiminplaceofwhatisbest._Thehappyman,therefore,isonewhohasright
judgementthehappymaniscontentwithhispresentlot,nomatterwhatitis,andis
reconciledtohiscircumstancesthehappymanishewhoallowsreasontofixthevalue
ofeveryconditionofexistence.Eventhosewhodeclarethatthehighestgoodisinthe
bellyseeinwhatadishonourablepositiontheyhaveplacedit.Andsotheysaythatitis
notpossibletoseparatepleasurefromvirtue,andtheyaverthatnoonecanlivevirtuously
withoutalsolivingpleasantly,norpleasantlywithoutalsolivingvirtuously.\aButIdonot
seehowthingssodifferentcanbecastinthesamemould.Whatreasonisthere,Ibegof
you,whypleasurecannotbeseparatedfromvirtue?Doyoumean,sinceallgoodshave
theirorigininvirtue,eventhethingsthatyouloveanddesiremustspringfromitsroots?
Butifthetwowereinseparable,weshouldnotseecertainthingspleasant,butnot
honourable,andcertainthingstrulymosthonourable,butpainfulandcapableofbeing
accomplishedonlythroughsuffering.Then,too,weseethatpleasureentersintoeventhe
basestlife,but,ontheotherhand,virtuedoesnotpermitlifetobeevil,andthereare
peoplewhoareunhappynotwithoutpleasurenay,aresoonaccountofpleasureitself
andthiscouldnothappenifpleasurewereindisolublyjoinedtovirtuevirtueoftenlacks
pleasure,andneverneedsit.Whydoyoucouplethingsthatareunlike,nay,even
opposites?Virtueissomethinglofty,exaltedandregal,unconquerable,andunwearied
pleasureissomethinglowly,servile,
<Ess2115>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,vii.3viii.2
weak,andperishable,whosehauntandabodearethebrothelandthetavern.Virtueyou
willfindinthetemple,intheforum,inthesenatehouseyouwillfindherstandinginfront
ofthecitywalls,dustyandstained,andwithcallousedhands{Swift_dusty_shoes+}
{PlainDealer+!!!}pleasureyouwillmoreoftenfindlurkingoutofsight,andinsearchof
darkness,aroundthepublicbathsandthesweatingroomsandtheplacesthatfearthe
policesoft,enervated,reekingwithwineandperfume,andpallid,orelsepaintedand
madeupwithcosmeticslikeacorpse.Thehighestgoodisimmortal,itknowsnoending,
itpermitsneithersurfeitnorregretfortherightthinkingmindneveralters,itneitherisfilled
withselfloathingnorsuffersanychangeinitslife,thatiseverthebest.Butpleasureis
extinguishedjustwhenitismostenjoyedithasbutsmallspace,andthusquicklyfillsit
itgrowswearyandissoonspentafteritsfirstassault.Norisanythingcertainwhose
natureconsistsinmovement.Soitisnotevenpossiblethatthereshouldbeany
substanceinthatwhichcomesandgoesmostswiftlyandwillperishintheveryexercise
ofitspowerforitstrugglestoreachapointatwhichitmaycease,anditlookstotheend
whileitisbeginning.
What,further,istobesaidofthefactthatpleasurebelongsaliketothegoodand
theevil,andthatthebasedelightnolessintheirdisgracethandothehonourableinfair
repute?Andthereforetheancientshaveenjoinedustofollow,notthemostpleasant,but
thebestlife,inorderthatpleasureshouldbe,notthe,leader,butthecompanionofaright
andproperdesire.ForwemustuseNatureasourguidesheitisthatReasonheeds,it
isofherthatittakescounsel.\aThereforetolivehappilyisthesamethingastolive
<Ess2117>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,viii.26
accordingtoNature.Whatthisis,Ishallproceedtomakeclear.Ifweshallguardthe
endowmentsofthebodyandtheneedsofNaturewithcareandfearlessness,inthe
thoughtthattheyhavebeengivenbutforadayandarefleeting,ifweshallnotbetheir
slaves+,norallowthesealienthingstobecomeourmasters,ifweshallcountthatthe
gratificationsofthebody,unessentialastheyare,haveaplaceliketothatofthe
auxiliariesandlightarmedtroopsincampifweletthemserve,notcommand
{Caliban+}thusandthusonlywillthesethingsbeprofitabletothemind.Letamannotbe
corruptedbyexternalthings,lethimbeunconquerableandadmireonlyhimself,
courageousinspiritandreadyforanyfate,lethimbethemoulderofhisownlifeletnot
hisconfidencebewithoutknowledge,norhisknowledgewithoutfirmness
{constantia_integrity+}lethisdecisionsoncemadeabide,andletnothisdecreesbe
alteredbyanyerasure.Itwillbeunderstood,evenwithoutmyaddingit,thatsuchaman
willbepoisedandwellordered,andwillshowmajestymingledwithcourtesyinallhis
actions.Letreasonsearchintoexternalthingsattheinstigationofthesenses,and,while
itderivesfromthemitsfirstknowledgeforithasnootherbasefromwhichitmay
operate,orbeginitsassaultupontruthyetletitfallbackuponitself.ForGodalso,the
allembracingworldandtheruleroftheuniverse,reachesforthintooutwardthings,yet,
withdrawingfromallsides,returnsintohimself.\aAndourmindshoulddothesame
when,havingfollowedthesensesthatserveit,ithasthroughthemreachedtothings
without,letitbethemasterbothofthemandofitself.Inthiswaywillbebornanenergy
thatisunited,
<Ess2119>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,viii.5ix.2
apowerthatisatharmonywithitself,andthatdependablereasonwhichisnotdivided
againstitself,noruncertaineitherinitsopinions,oritsperceptions,orinitsconvictions
andthisreason,whenithasregulateditself,andestablishedharmonybetweenallits
parts,and,sotospeak,isintune,hasattainedthehighestgood.Fornocrookedness,no
slipperinessislefttoit,nothingthatwillcauseittostumbleorfall.Itwilldoeverything
underitsownauthorityandnothingunexpectedwillbefallit,butwhateveritdoeswillturn
outagood,andthat,too,easilyandreadilyandwithoutsubterfugeonthepartofthedoer
forreluctanceandhesitation+areanindicationofconflictandinstability.Whereforeyou
mayboldlydeclarethatthehighestgoodisharmonyofthesoulforwhereconcordand
unityare,theremustthevirtuesbe.Discordaccompaniesthevices.
"Butevenyou,"itisretorted,"cultivatevirtuefornootherreasonthanbecauseyou
hopeforsomepleasurefromit."But,inthefirstplace,eventhoughvirtueissureto
bestowpleasure,itisnotforthisreasonthatvirtueissoughtforitisnotthis,but
somethingmorethanthisthatshebestows,nordoesshelabourforthis,butherlabour,
whiledirectedtowardsomethingelse,achievesthisalso.Asinaploughedfield,which
hasbeenbrokenupforcorn,someflowerswillspringuphereandthere,yetitwasnotfor
thesepoorlittleplants,althoughtheymaypleasetheeye,thatsomuchtoilwasexpended
thesowerhadadifferentpurpose,theseweresuperaddedjustsopleasureisneither
thecausenortherewardofvirtue,butitsbyproduct,andwedonotacceptvirtue
becauseshedelightsus,but
<Ess2121>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,ix.3x.2
ifweaccepther,shealsodelightsus.Thehighestgoodliesintheverychoiceofit,and
theveryattitudeofamindmadeperfect,andwhenthemindhascompleteditscourse
andfortifieditselfwithinitsownbounds,thehighestgoodhasnowbeenperfected,and
nothingfurtherisdesiredfortherecannomorebeanythingoutsideofthewholethan
therecanbesomepointbeyondtheend.Thereforeyoublunderwhenyouaskwhatitis
thatmakesmeseekvirtueyouarelookingforsomethingbeyondthesupreme.Doyou
askwhatitisthatIseekinvirtue?Onlyherself.Forsheoffersnothingbettershe
herselfisherownreward.Ordoesthisseemtoyoutoosmallathing?WhenIsayto
you,"Thehighestgoodistheinflexibilityofanunyieldingmind,itsforesight,itssublimityits
soundness,itsfreedom,itsharmony,itsbeauty,{PlainDealer+}doyourequireofme
somethingstillgreatertowhichtheseblessingsmaybeascribed?
Whydoyoumentiontomepleasure?ItisthegoodofmanthatIamsearching
for,notthatofhisbellythebellyofcattleandwildbeastsismoreroomy!
"You"aremisrepresentingwhatIsay,"youretort"forIadmitthatnomancanlive
pleasantlywithoutatthesametimelivingvirtuouslyaswell,andthisispatentlyimpossible
fordumbbeastsandforthosewhomeasuretheirgoodbymerefood.Distinctly,Isay,
andopenlyItestifythatthelifethatIdenominatepleasantisimpossiblewithoutthe
additionofvirtue."Yetwhodoesnotknowthatthosewhoaremostapttobefilledwith
yoursortofpleasureareallthegreatestfools,andthatwickednessaboundsin
enjoyments,andthattheminditselfsuppliesmanykindsofpleasurethatare
<Ess2123>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,x.2xi.2
vicious?Foremostarehaughtiness,atoohighopinionofone'sselfandapuffedup
superioritytoothers,{modesty+}ablindandunthinkingdevotiontoone'sowninterests,
dissoluteluxury,extravagantjoyspringingfromverysmallandchildishcauses,and,
besidesabitingtongueandthearrogancethattakespleasureininsults,sloth,andthe
degeneracyofasluggishmindthatfallsasleepoveritself.AllthesethingsVirtuetosses
aside,andshepluckstheear,\aandappraisespleasuresbeforeshepermitsthem,and
thosethatsheapprovesshesetsnogreatstorebyorevenjustpermitsthem,anditisnot
heruseofthem,buthertemperancethatgivesherjoy.Since,however,temperance
reducesourpleasures,injuryresultstoyourhighestgood.Youembracepleasure,I
enchainheryouenjoypleasure,Iuseityouthinkitthehighestgood,Idonotthinkiteven
agoodyoudoeverythingforthesakeofpleasure,I,nothing.
WhenIsaythat"I"donothingforthesakeofpleasure,Iamspeakingoftheideal
wiseman,towhomaloneyouarewillingtoconcedepleasure.ButIdonotcallhima
wisemanwhoisdominatedbyanything,stilllessbypleasure.Andyetifheisengrossed
bythis,howwillhewithstandtoilanddangerandwantandallthethreateningillsthat
clamouraboutthelifeofman?Howwillheendurethesightofdeath,howgrief,howthe
crashesoftheuniverseandallthefiercefoesthatfacehim,ifhehasbeensubduedbyso
soft{fop+}anadversary?Yousay:"Hewilldowhateverpleasureadvises."Butcome,do
younotseehowmanythingsitwillbeabletoadvise?"Itwillnotbeabletoadviseanything
<Ess2125>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xi.2xii.1
base,"yousay,"becauseitislinkedwithvirtue."Butoncemore,doyounotseewhatsort
ofthingthathighestgoodmustbeifitneedsaguardianinordertobecomeagood?And
howshallVirtueguidePleasureifshefollowsher,sinceitisthepartofonewhoobeysto
follow,ofonewhocommandstoguide?Doyoustationinthereartheonethat
commands?TrulyafineofficethatyonassigntoVirtuetobetheforetaster\aofyour
pleasures!Weshallseelaterwhethertothosewhohavetreatedvirtueso
contemptuouslyshestillremainsvirtueforshecannotkeephernameifsheyieldsher
place.MeanwhileforthisisthepointhereIshallshowthattherearemanywhoare
beseigedbypleasures,uponwhomFortunehasshoweredallhergifts,andyet,asyou
mustneedsadmit,arewickedmen.LookatNomentanusandApicius,\bdigesting,as
theysaytheblessingsoflandandsea,andreviewingthecreationsofeverynation
arrayedupontheirboard!Seethem,too,uponaheapofroses,gloatingovertheirrich
cookery,whiletheirearsaredelightedbythesoundofmusic,theireyesbyspectacles,
theirpalatesbysavourssoftandsoothingstuffscaresswiththeirwarmththelengthof
theirbodies,and,thatthenostrilsmaynotmeanwhilebeidle,theroomitself,where
sacrificeisbeingmadetoLuxury+,reekswithvariedperfumes.{Fop+}Youwillrecognize
thatthesearelivinginthemidstofpleasures,andyetitwillnotbewellwiththem,
becausewhattheydelightinisnotagood.
"Itwillbeillwiththem,"yousay,"becausemanythingswillintrudethatperturb\c
thesoul,

ci.e.,theywillnotbetrueEpicureans,sincetheylackd7apa@t'a.
<Ess2127>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xii.14
andopinions,conflictingwithoneanother,willdisquietthemind."ThatthisissoIgrant
butnonethelesstheseverymen,foolishastheyareandinconsistentandsubjecttothe
pangsofremorse,willhaveexperienceofverygreatpleasures,sothatyoumustadmit
that,whileinthatstatetheylackallpain,theynolesslackasoundmind,and,asisthe
casewithverymanyothers,thattheymakemerryinmadnessandlaughwhiletheyrave.
But,ontheotherhand,thepleasuresofthewisemanarecalm,moderate,almostlistless
andsubdued,andscarcelynoticeableinasmuchastheycomeunsummoned,and,
althoughtheyapproachoftheirownaccord,arenotheldinhighesteemandarereceived
withoutjoyonthepartofthosewhoexperiencethemfortheyonlyletthemminglenow
andthenwithlifeaswedoamusementsandjestswithseriousaffairs.
Letthemcease,therefore,tojoinirreconcilablethingsandtolinkpleasurewith
virtueaviciousprocedurewhichflatterstheworstclassofmen.Themanwhohas
plungedintopleasures,inthemidstofhisconstantbelchinganddrunkenness,because
heknowsthatheislivingwithpleasure,believesthatheislivingwithvirtueaswellforhe
hearsfirstthatpleasurecannotbeseparatedfromvirtue,thendubshisviceswisdom,
andparadeswhatoughttobeconcealed.AndsoitisnotEpicuruswhohasdriventhem
todebauchery,butthey,havingsurrenderedthemselvestovice,hidetheirdebaucheryin
thelapofphilosophyandflocktotheplacewheretheymayhearthepraiseofpleasure,
andtheydonotconsiderhowsoberandabstemious\athe"pleasure"ofEpicurusreallyis
forso,in
<Ess2129>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xii.4xiii.2
alltruth,Ithinkitbuttheyflytoamerenameseekingsomejustificationandscreenfor
theirlusts.Andthustheylosethesolegoodthatremainedtothemintheirwickedness
shameforwrongdoing.Fortheynowpraisethethingsthatusedtomakethemblush,and
theygloryinviceandthereforetheycannotevenrecovertheiryouth,\awhenoncean
honourablenamehasgivenwarranttotheirshamefullaxity.Thereasonwhyyourpraise
ofpleasureisperniciousisthatwhatishonourableinyourteachinglieshidwithin,what
corruptsisplainlyvisible.
PersonallyIholdtheopinionIshallexpressitthoughthemembersofourschool
mayprotestthattheteachingsofEpicurusareuprightandholyand,ifyouconsiderthem
closely,austereforhisfamousdoctrineofpleasureisreducedtosmallandnarrow
proportions,andtherulethatweStoicslaydownforvirtue,thissamerulehelaysdown
forpleasurehebidsthatitobeyNature.ButittakesaverylittleluxurytosatisfyNature!
Whatthenisthecase?Whoeverappliestheterm"happiness"toslothfulidlenessand
thealternateindulgenceingluttonyandlust,looksforagoodsponsorforhisevilcourse,
andwhen,ledonbyanattractivename,hehasfoundthisone,\bthepleasurehepursues
isnottheformthatbeistaught,buttheformthathehasbrought,andwhenhebeginsto
thinkthathisvicesaccordwiththeteacher'smaxims,heindulgesinthemnolonger
timidly,andriotsinthem,notnowcovertly,butfromthistimeoninbroaddaylight.\cAnd
soIshallnotsay,asdomostofoursect,thattheschoolofEpicurusisanacademyof
vice,butthisiswhatIsayithasabadname,isofillrepute,andyetundeservedly.How
can
<Ess2131>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xiii.35
anyoneknowthiswhohasnotbeenadmittedtotheinnershrine?Itsmereoutsidegives
groundforscandalandincitestoevilhopes.Thecaseislikethatofastrongman
dressedupinawoman'sgarbyoumaintainyourchastity,yourvirilityisunimpaired,your
bodyisfreefrombasesubmissionbutinyourhandisatambourine\a!{fop+}Therefore
youshouldchoosesomehonourablesuperscriptionandamottothatinitselfappealsto
themindtheonethatstandshasattractedonlythevices.
Whosoeverhasgoneovertothesideofvirtue,hasgivenproofofanoblenature
hewhofollowspleasureisseentobeweakly,broken,losinghismanhood,{fop+}andon
the,surepathtobasenessunlesssomeoneshallestablishforhimsomedistinction
betweenpleasures,sothathemayknowwhichofthemliewithintheboundsofnatural
desire,whichsweepheadlongonwardandareunboundedandarethemoreinsatiablethe
moretheyaresatisfied.Comethen!letvirtueleadtheway,andeverystepwillbesafe.
Then,too,itistheexcessofpleasurethatharmsbutinthecaseofvirtuethereneedbe
nofearofanyexcess,forinvirtueitselfresidesmoderation+Thatcannotbeagoodthat
suffersfromitsownmagnitude.Besides,tocreaturesendowedwitharationalnature
whatbetterguidecanbeofferedthanreason?Evenifthatcombination\bpleasesyou,if
youarepleasedtoproceedtowardthehappylifeinsuchcompany,letvirtueleadtheway,
letpleasureattendherletithoveraboutthebodylikeitsshadow.Tohandovervirtue,
theloftiestofmistresses,tobethehandmaidofpleasureisthepartofamanwhohas
nothinggreatinhissoul.{greatsoul+}

a<againpleasure=effeminacy+.OrgiasticpriestsofCybeleareneutered>
<Ess2133>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xiv.13
Letvirtuegofirst,letherbearthestandard.Weshallnonethelesshavepleasure,butwe
shallbethemasterandcontrolherattimesweshallyieldtoherentreaty,nevertoher
constraint.Butthosewhosurrendertheleadershiptopleasure,lackbothfortheylose
virtue,andyetdonotpossesspleasure,butarepossessedbyit,andtheyareeither
torturedbythelackofitorstrangledbyitsexcesswretchedifitdesertsthem,more
wretchedifitoverwhelmsthemtheyarelikesailorswhohavebeencaughtinthewaters
aroundtheSyrtes,\aandnowareleftonthedryshore,andagainaretossedbythe
seethingwaves.Butthisresultsfromacompletelackofselfcontrolandblindlovefor
anobjectfor,ifoneseeksevilsinsteadofgoods,successbecomesdangerous.Asthe
huntforwildbeastsisfraughtwithhardshipanddanger,andeventhosethatarecaptured
areananxiouspossessionformanyatimetheyrendtheirmasterssoitisasregards
greatpleasuresfortheyturnouttobeagreatmisfortune,andcapturedpleasures
becomenowthecaptors.Andthemoreandthegreaterthepleasuresare,themore
inferiorwillthatmanbewhomthecrowdcallshappy,andthemoremasterswillhehave
toserve.Iwishtodwellstillfurtheruponthiscomparison.Justasthemanwhotracks
wildanimalstotheirlairs,andcountsitagreatdelight
Withnoosethesavagebeaststosnare,\b
and
Aroundthespreadingwoodstoflingalineofhounds,
inorderthathemayfollowupontheirtracks,leavesthingsthataremoreworthwhileand
forsakes
<Ess2135>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xiv.3xv.4
manyduties,sohewhopursuespleasuresmakeseverythingelsesecondary,andfirstof
allgivesupliberty,andhepaysthispriceatthecommandofhisbellynordoeshebuy
pleasuresforhimself,buthesellshimselftopleasures."Nevertheless,"someoneasks,
"whatistheretopreventtheblendingofvirtueandpleasureintoone,andconstitutingthe
highestgoodinsuchawaythatthehonourableandtheagreeablemaybethesame
thing?"Theansweristhatthehonourablecanhavenopartthatisnothonourable,norwill
thehighestgoodpreserveitsintegrityifitseesinitselfsomethingthatisdifferentfromits
betterpart.Eventhejoythatspringsfromvirtue,althoughitisagood,isnotnevertheless
apartoftheabsolutegood,anymorethanarecheerfulnessandtranquillity,althoughthey
springfromthenoblestoriginsforgoodstheyare,yettheyonlyattendonthehighest
goodbutdonotconsummateit.Butwhoeverformsanalliancebetweenvirtueand
pleasureandthattoo,notanequalonebythefrailtyofonegooddullswhateverpower
theothermayhave,andsendsbeneaththeyokethatliberty+\awhichremains
unconqueredonlysolongasitfindsnothingmorepreciousthanitself.Foritbeginsto
needthehelpofFortune+,andthisisthedepthofservitudetherefollowsalifeofanxiety,
suspicion,andalarm,adreadofmishapandworryoverthechangestimebrings.Youdo
notgivetovirtueafoundationsolidandimmovable,butbidherstandonunstableground
yetwhatissounstableastrustinthehazardsofchance+andthevicissitudesofthebody
andthethingsthataffectthebody?HowissuchamanabletoobeyGodandtoreceive
incheerfulspiritwhateverhappens,and,interpreting
<Ess2137>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xv.46
hismishapsindulgently,nevertocomplainofFate,ifheisagitatedbythepettyprickings
ofpleasureandpain?Butheisnotevenagoodguardianoravengerofhiscountry,nora
defenderofhisfriends\aifhehasaleaningtowardpleasures.Thereforeletthehighest
goodmounttoaplacefromwhichnoforcecandragitdown,whereneitherpainnorhope
norfearfindsaccess,nordoesanyotherthingthatcanlowertheauthorityofthehighest
goodbutVirtuealoneisabletomounttothatheight.Wemustfollowherfootstepstofind
thatascenteasybravelywillshestand,andshewillendurewhateverhappens,notonly
patiently,butevengladlyshewillknowthateveryhardshipthattimebringscomesbya
lawofNature,andlikeagoodsoldiershewillsubmittowounds,shewillcountherscars,
and,piercedbydarts,asshediesshewilllovehimforwhosesakeshefallsher
commandershewillkeepinmindthatoldinjunction,"FollowGod\b!"Butwhoever
complainsandweepsandmoans,iscompelledbyforcetoobeycommands,and,even
thoughheisunwillingisrushednonethelesstothebiddentasks.Butwhatmadnessto
prefertobedraggedratherthantofollow!Asmuchso,inallfaith,asitisgreatfollyand
ignoranceofone'slottogrievebecauseofsomelackorsomeratherbitterhappening,
andinlikemannertobesurprisedorindignantatthoseillsthatbefallthegoodnoless
thanthehadImeansicknessanddeathandinfirmitiesandalltheotherunexpectedills
thatinvadehumanlife.Allthattheveryconstitutionoftheuniverseobligesustosuffer,

praeceptasapientitium,quiiubent'temporiparere'et'sequideum'et'senoscere'et'nimi
nimis,'haecsinephysicisquamvimhabeant(ethabentmaximam)viderenemopotest."
<Ess2139>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xv.7xvi.3
mustbebornewithhighcourage.Thisisthesacredobligationbywhichwearebound
tosubmittothehumanlot,{Pope+}andnottobedisquietedbythosethingswhichwe
havenopowertoavoid.WehavebeenbornunderamonarchytoobeyGodis
freedom+.\aThereforetruehappinessisfoundeduponvirtue.Andwhatisthecounsel
thisvirtuewillgivetoyou?Thatyoushouldnotconsideranythingeitheragoodoranevil
thatwillnotbetheresultofeithervirtueorvicethen,thatyoushouldstandunmovedboth
inthefaceofevilandbytheenjoymentofgood,totheendthatasfarasisallowedyou
maybodyforthGod.Andwhatdoesvirtuepromiseyouforthisenterprise?Mighty
privilegesandequaltothedivine.Youshallbeboundbynoconstraint,nothingshallyou
lack,youshallbefree,safe,unhurtnothingshallyouessayinvain,fromnothingbe
debarredallthingsshallhappenaccordingtoyourdesire,nothingadverseshallbefall
you,nothingcontrarytoyourexpectationsandwish."What!doesvirtuealonesufficefor
livinghappily?"Perfectanddivineasitis,whyshoulditnotsufficenay,sufficeto
overflowing?Forifamanhasbeenplacedbeyondthereachofanydesire,whatcanhe
possiblylack?
Ifamanhasgatheredintohimselfallthatishis,whatneeddoeshehaveofany
outsidething?Butthemanwhoisstillontheroadtovirtue,who,eventhoughhehas
proceededfar,isstillstrugglinginthetoilsofhumanaffairs,doeshaveneedofsome
indulgencefromFortuneuntilhehasloosedthatknotandeverymortalbond.Wherethen
liesthedifference?Inthatsomearecloselybound,othersfetteredevenhandandfoot.\b
Hewhohasadvancedtowardthehigherrealmandhas
<Ess2141>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xvi.3xvii.3
liftedhmselftohigherlevelsdragsaloosenedchainheisnotyetfree,butstillisasgood
asfree.
If,therefore,anyofthosewhobarkagainstphilosophy,shouldasktheusualthing:
"Whythendoyoutalksomuchmorebravelythanyoulive?Whydoyouspeakhumblyin
thepresenceofasuperioranddeemmoneyanecessaryequipment,andwhyareyou
movedbyaloss,andwhydoyoushedtearsonhearingofthedeathofyourwifeora
friend,andwhydoyouhaveregardforyourreputationandletslanderaffectyou?Whydo
youtillbroaderacresthanyournaturalneedrequires?Whydoyourdinnersnotconform
toyourownteaching?Whydoyouhavesuchelegantfurniture?Whyisthewinethatis
drunkatyourtableolderthanyouareyourself?Whythisshowofanaviary?Whydoyou
planttreesthatwillsupplynothingbutshade?Whydoesyourwifewearinherearsthe
revenueofarichhouse?Whyareyouryoungslavesdressedincostlystuffs?Whyisit
anarttoattendatyourtableandinsteadoftheplatebeingsetoutcarelesslyandasyou
pleasewhyisthereexpertnessofservice,andwhytocarveyourmeatistherea
professional?"Add,too,ifyoulike:"Whydoyouhavedomainsacrossthesea?Why
morethanyouhaveseen?Andshametoyou!vouareeithersocarelessthatyoudo
notknowyourhandfulofslavesbysight,orsopamperedthatyouhavemorethanyour
memorycanrecalltoyourknowledge!"LaterIshalloutdoyourreproachesandbestowon
myselfmoreblamethanyouthinkofforthemomentIshallmakethisreply:"Iamnota
wiseman,\anortofeedyourmalevolenceshallIeverbe.Andsorequirenotfromme
thatIshouldbeequaltothebest,butthatI
<Ess2143>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xvii.3xviii.3
shouldbebetterthanthewicked.ItisenoughformeifeverydayIreducethenumberof
myvices,andblamemymistakes.Ihavenotattainedtoperfecthealth,norindeedshallI
attainitmygoutIcontrivetoalleviateratherthantocure,contentifitcomesmorerarely
andgiveslesspainbutwhenIcompareyourfeet,crippledthoughIam,Iamaracer!"
WhatIsayisnotspokenonmyownbehalfforIamsunkdeepinviceofeverykindbut
onbehalfofthemanwhohasactuallyachievedsomething.
"Youtalkoneway,youliveanother,"yousay.Thesamereproach,Oyecreatures
mostspiteful,mosthostiletoallthebestofmen,hasbeenmadeagainstPlato,against
Epicurus,againstZenoforallthesetold,nothowtheythemselveswereliving,buthow
theyoughttolive.Itisofvirtue,notof'myslf,thatIamspeaking,andmyquarrelisagainst
allvices,moreespeciallyagainstmyown.WhenIshallbeable,IshallliveasIought.
Andyourspitefulness,deepdyedwithvenom,shallnotdetermefromwhatisbest,nor
shalleventhispoisonwithwhichyoubesprinkleothers,withwhich,too,youarekilling
yourselves,hindermefromcontinuingtovauntthelife,notthatIlead,butthatIknow
oughttobeledfromworshippingvirtueandfromfollowingher,albeitalongwaybehind
andwithveryhaltingpace.AmI,insooth,toexpectthatspitewillspareanythingwhenit
heldneitherRutiliusnorCato\asacred?Shouldanyonebeconcernedwhetherheseems
toorichintheeyesofthosetowhomDemetriustheCynic\bseemsnotpoorenough?
Thisboldestofheroes,fightingagainstallthedesiresofnature,andpoorerthantherest
oftheCynicsinthat,whiletheybanned
<Ess2145>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xviii.3xix.3
possessions,hebannedeventhedesireofthemthismantheysayhasnotenough
poverty!Bulyouseehehasnotprofessedaknowledgeofvirtuebutofpoverty.
AndtheysaythatDiodorus,theEpicureanphilosopher,whowithinthelastfew
daysputanendtohislifewithhisownhand,wasnotfollowingtheteachingofEpicurus
whenheslashedhisownthroat.Somewouldseeinhissuicideanactofmadness,
othersofrecklessnesshe,meanwhile,happyandfilledwithagoodconsciencebore
testimonytohimselfashewasdepartingfromlifehepraisedthetranquillityoftheyears
hehadpassedsafeatanchorinahaven,andutteredthewordswhichyouneverhave
likedtohear,asthoughyoualsomustdothesamething:
I'velivedmydestinedcourseInowhaverun.\b
Youargueaboutthelifeoftheone,aboutthedeathoftheother,\candwhenyouhearthe
nameofmenwhohavebecomegreatonaccountofsomedistinguishedmerit,youbark,
justassmalldogsdowhentheymeetwithstrangersforyoufindittoyourinterestthatno
manshouldappeartobegood,asthoughvirtueinanothercastreproachuponthe
shortcomingsofallofyou.Youjealouslycomparetheirgloriousappearancewithyour
squalor,andfailtounderstandwithwhatgreatdisadvantagetoyourselfyoudaretodoso.
Forifthosewhopursuevirtueareavaricious,lustful,andambitious,whatareyou
yourselves,towhomtheverynameofvirtueishateful?Yousaythatnooneofthem
practiseswhathepreaches,ormodelshislifeuponhisownwords.Butwhatwonder,
sincetheirwordsareheroic,
<Ess2147>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xix.3xx.3
mighty,andsurviveallthestormsofhumanlife?Thoughtheystrivetorelease
themselvesfromtheircrossesthosecrosses\atowhicheachoneofyounailshimself
withhisownhand\byetthey,whenbroughttopunishment,hangeachuponasingle
gibbetsbuttheseotherswhobringuponthemselvestheirownpunishmentarestretched
uponasmanycrossesastheyhaddesires.Yettheyareslanderousandwittyinheaping
insultonothers.Imightbelievethattheywerefreetodoso,didnotsomeofthemspit
uponspectatorsfromtheirowncross\d
"Philosophersdonotpractisewhattheypreach,"yousay.Yettheydopractise
muchthattheypreach,muchthattheirvirtuousmindsconceive.Forindeediftheir
actionsalwaysmatchedtheirwords,whowouldbemorehappythanthey?Meanwhile
youhavenoreasontodespisenoblewordsandheartsthatarefilledwithnoblethoughts.
Thepursuitofsalutarystudiesispraiseworthy,eveniftheyhavenopracticalresult.What
wonderthatthosewhoessaythesteeppathdonotmounttotheSummit?Butifyouare
anan,lookuptothosewhoareattemptinggreatthings,eventhoughtheyfall.Theman
thatmeasureshiseffort,notbyhisownstrength,butbythestrengthofhisnature,that
aimsathighthings,andconceivesinhisheartgreaterundertakingsthancouldpossibly
beaccomplishedevenbythoseendowedwithgiganticcourage,showsthemarkof
nobility.Themanwhohassetbeforehimselfsuchidealsasthese:"Asforme,Ishall
lookupondeathoracomedywiththesameexpressionofcountenance.Asforme,Ishall
submittoallhardships,nomatterhowgreattheybe,stayingmybody
<Ess2149>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xx.35
bythespirit.Asforme,Ishalldespiseriches+alikewhenIhavethemandwhenIhave
themnot,beingneithercastdowniftheyshalllieelsewhere,norpuffedupiftheyshall
glitteraroundme.Asforme,IshallpaynoheedtoFortune+,eitherwhenshecomesor
whenshegoes.Asforme,Ishallviewalllandsasmyown,myownasbelongingtoall
others.Asforme,IshallalwaysliveasifIwereawarethatIhadbeenbornforservice+
toothers,andonthisaccountIshallrendermythankstoNatureforhowcouldshebetter
haveservedmyinterest?Shehasgivenme,theindividual,toallmenandallmentome,
theindividual.{common+}WhateverImaypossess,Ishallneitherhoardasamiser,nor
asaspendthriftsquander.Nothingshallseemtomesotrulymypossessionsasthegifts
Ihavewiselybestowed.{liberality+}Ishallnotestimatemybenefactions+bytheir
number,norbytheirsize,norbyanythingexceptmyestimationoftherecipientnever
shallwhataworthymanreceivesseemgreatinmyeyes.NothingshallIeverdoforthe
sakeofopinion,everythingforthesakeofmyconscience.WhateverIshalldowhenI
aloneamwitnessIshallcountasdonebeneaththegazeoftheRomanpeople.Ineating
anddrinkingmyaimshallbetoquenchthedesiresofNature,nottofillandemptymy
belly.Ishallbeagreeabletomyfriends,tomyenemiesmildandindulgent.Ishallgive
pardon+beforeitisasked,andhastentograntallhonourablerequests.{hesitation+}I
shallknowthatthewholeworldismycountry,thatitsrulersarethegods,andthatthey
abideabovemeandaroundme,thecensorsofmywordsanddeeds.Andwhenever
Naturedemandsbackmybreath,ormyreasonreleases\ait,Ishalldepart,bearing
witnessthatIhavelovedagood
<Ess2151>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xx.5xxi.2
conscienceandallgoodendeavour,thatIhavebeenguiltyofnothingthatimpairedthe
libertyofanyman,leastofallmyown"themanwhoshallresolve,shallwish,andshall
essaytodothesethingswillbefollowingthepathtowardthegodsah!suchaman,
evenifheshallnotreachthem,
Yetfailsinahighemprise.\a
Butasforyou,yourhatredofvirtueandofthosewhopractiseitisinnowaystrange.For
sicklylightsquailbeforethesun,andcreaturesofthenightabhortheshiningdaythey
standaghastatthefirstsignsofdawn,andseekeverywheretheirlairs,and,findingsome
hole,hidethemselvesawayfromfearofthelight.Croak,andplyyourwretchedtongues
inabuseofthegood,showyourfangs,bitehardyouwillbreakyourteethlongbeforethey
leaveamark!"Why,"youask,"doesthatmanespousephilosophyandyetliveinsuch
opulence?Whydoeshesaythatrichesoughttobedespisedandyethavethem?Why
doeshethinkthatlifeoughttobedespisedandyetlive?Thathealthoughttobedespised
andyetguarditmostcarefully,andpreferittobeexcellent?Andwhydoeshethinkthat
exileisanemptynameandsay:'Whatevilisthereinachangeofcountry,'andyet,ifhe
isallowed,growoldinhisnativeland?
Whydoeshedecidethatthereisnodifferencebetweenalongandshort
existence,yet,ifnothingpreventshim,prolonghislifeandpeacefullyflourishinagreen
oldage?"Hesaysthesethingsoughttobedespised,nottokeephimfromhavingthem,
buttokeephimfrombeingworriedabouthavingthemhedoesnotdrivethemaway,butif
theyleavehim,heescortsthemtothedoorwithout
<Ess2153>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xxi.2xxii.2
theleastconcern.Where,indeed,willFortunedepositrichesmoresecurelythanwith
onewhowillreturnthemwithoutprotestwhensherecallsthem?MarcusCato,\awhenhe
wasvauntingCuriusandCoruncaniusandthatageinwhichitwasacensorialoffenceto
haveafewsmallsilvercoins,himselfpossessedfourmillionsesterces,fewerwithout
doubtthanCrassus,butmorethanCatotheCensor.Ifcomparisonbemade,the
distancebywhichhehadoutstrippedhisgreatgrandfatherwasgreaterthanthatbywhich
Crassushadoutstrippedhim,and,ifgreaterwealthhadfallentohislot,hewouldnothave
scornedit.Forindeedthewisemandoesnotdeemhimselfundeservingofanyofthe
giftsofFortune.Hedoesnotloveriches++,buthewouldratherhavethemhedoesnot
admitthemtohisheart,buttohishouse,andhedoesnotrejectthericheshehas,buthe
keepsthemandwishesthemtosupplyamplermaterialforexercisinghisvirtue.
{liberality+}
Who,however,candoubtthatthewiseman\bfindsinriches+,ratherthanin
poverty,thisamplermaterialfordisplayinghispowers,sinceinpovertythereisroomfor
onlyonekindofvirtuenottobeboweddownandcrushedbyitwhileinriches
moderation+andliberality+anddiligenceandorderlinessandgrandeur{magnificentia+}
allhaveawidefield?Thewisemanwillnotdespisehimselfevenifhehasthestatureof
adwarf,butneverthelesshewillwishtobetall.Andifheisfeebleinbody,ordeprivedof
oneeye,hewillstillbestrong,\cbutneverthelesshewillprefertohavestrengthofbody,
andthistoo,thoughheknowsthatthereissomethingelseinhimthatisstronger

thelattermayexistwithouttheformer,butitisdesirabletohaveboth.
<Ess2155>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xxii.2xxiii.1
thanbody.Ifhishealthisbadhewillendureit,buthewillwishforgoodhealth.For
certainthings,eveniftheyaretriflesincomparisonwiththewhole,andcanbewithdrawn
withoutdestroyingtheessentialgood,neverthelesscontributesomethingtotheperpetual
joythatspringsfromvirtue.Asafavourablewind,sweepinghimon,gladdensthesailor,
asabrightdayandasunnyspotinthemidstofwinterandcoldgivecheer,justsoriches
havetheirinfluenceuponthewisemanandbringhimjoy.Andbesides,whoamongwise
menImeanthoseofourschool,whocountvirtuethesolegooddeniesthateventhose
thingswhichwecall"indifferent"\adohavesomeinherentvalue,andthatsomearemore
desirablethanothers?Tosomeofthemweaccordlittlehonour,toothersmuch.Donot,
therefore,makeamistakerichesareamongthemoredesirablethings."Whythen,"you
say,"doyoumakegameofme,sincetheyoccupythesameplaceinyoureyesthatthey
doinmine?"Doyouwanttoknowwhatadifferentplacetheyoccupy?Inmycase,if
richesslipaway,theywilltakefrommenothingbutthemselves,whileiftheyleaveyou,
youwillbedumbfounded,andyouwillfeelthatyouhavebeenrobbedofyourrealselfin
myeyesricheshaveacertainplace,inyourstheyhavethehighestinfine,Iownmy
riches+,yoursownyou.
Cease,therefore,forbiddingtophilosophersthepossessionofmoneynoonehas
condemnedwisdomtopoverty.Thephilosophershallownamplewealth,butitwillhave
beenwrestedfromnoman,norwillitbestainedwithanother'sbloodwealthacquired
withoutharmtoanyman,withoutbasedealing,andtheoutlayofitwillbenotless
honourablethanwas
<Ess2157>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xxiii.14
itsacquisitionitwillmakenomangroanexceptthespiteful.Pileupthatwealthofhisas
highasyoulikeitwillbehonourable,if,whileitincludesmuchthateachmanwouldliketo
callhisown,itincludesnothingthatanymanisabletocallhisown.Buthe,surely,will
notthrustasidethegenerosityofFortune,andaninheritancethathasbeenhonourably
acquiredwillgivehimnocauseeithertoblushortoboast.Yetbewillevenhavereasonto
boastif,throwingopenhismansionandadmittingthewholecitytoviewhispossessions,
heshallbeabletosay."Ifanyonerecognizesanythingashisown,lethimtakeit."O!a
greatman,O!amanexcellentlyrich,ifafterthesewordsheshallpossessjustasmuch!
Imeanthis:ifwithoutriskandconcernhehasallowedthepeopletomakesearch,ifno
manshallhavefoundinhispossessionasinglethingtolayhishandsupon,thenhewill
berichboldlyandinallopenness.Notonepennywillawisemanadmitwithinhis
thresholdthatmakesadishonestentryyethewillnotrepulseorexcludegreatwealththat
isthegiftofFortuneandthefruitofvirtue.Forwhatreasonhashetogrudgeitgood
quarters?Letitcome,letitbewelcomed.Buthewillnotflauntit,neitherwillhehideit
theoneisthepartofasillymind,theotherofatimidandpettymind,thatmakeshimkeep
agreatblessingasitwere,inhispocketnor,asIsaidbefore,willheexpelitfromthe
house.Forwhatshallhesaytoit?Willitbe"Youareofnouse,"or"Idonotknowhow
touseriches"?
Inthesamewaythat,evenifheisabletoaccomplishajourneyonfoot,hewill
prefertomountintoacarriage,so,evenifheisabletobepoor.Hewillpreferto
<Ess2159>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xxiii.4xxiv.2
berich.Andsohewillpossesswealth,butwiththeknowledgethatitisfickleandlikelyto
flyaway,andhewillnotallowittobeaburdeneithertohimselfortoanyoneelse.Hewill
giveofitwhydoyouprickupyourears?whydoyougetreadyyourpocket?hewill
giveofiteithertogoodmenortothosewhomhewillbeabletomakegoodmen
choosingthemostworthyaftertheutmostdeliberation,hewillgiveofhiswealth,asone
whorightlyremembersthathemustrenderaccountnolessofhisexpendituresthanof
hisreceiptshewillgiveofitonlyforareasonthatisjustanddefensible,forwronggiving+
isnootherthanashamefulwastehewillhavehispocketaccessible,butitwillhaveno
holeinitapocketfromwhichmuchcanappearandnothingcandrop.
Whoeverbelievesthatgivingisaneasymatter,makesamistakeitisamatterof
verygreatdifficulty,providedthatgiftsaremadewithwisdom,andarenotscatteredat
haphazardandbycaprice.TothismanIdoaservice,tothatonemakereturnthisoneI
succour,thisoneIpityIsupplythisotheronebecausehedoesnotdeservetobe
draggeddownbypovertyandhaveitengrosshimtosomeIshallnotgivealthoughthey
areinneed,because,evenifIshouldgive,theywouldstillbeinneedtosomeIshall
proffermyhelp,uponcertainoneseventhrustit.InthismatterIcannotaffordtobe
carelessneveramImorecarefultoregisternamesthanwhenIamgiving."What!"you
say,"doyougivewiththeintentionoftakingback?"No,withtheintentionofnotwasting
thestatusofgivingshouldbethatnoreturnoughttobeasked,yetthatareturnis
possible.
<Ess2161>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xxiv,24
Abenefitshouldbestoredawaylikeadeepburiedtreasure,whichyouwouldnotdigup
exceptfromnecessity.Why,theveryhouseofarichmanwhatanopportunityitoffers
forconferringbenefit!Whosevoiceinvokesliberalityonlyforthemanthatwearsa
toga\a?Naturebidsmedogoodtoallmankindwhetherslavesorfreemen,freebornor
freedmen,whetherthelawsgavethemfreedomoragrantinthepresenceoffriends
whatdifferencedoesitmake?{common+}Whereverthereisahumanbeingthereisthe
opportunityforakindness.Andsoitispossibletobelavishwithmoneyeveninsidethe
thresholdandtofindthereafieldforone'sliberalitywhichissocalled,notbecauseitis
owedtoafreeman,butbecauseitisbornfromafreemind.This,inthecaseofawise
man,isneverhurledatbaseandunworthymen,andnevermakesthemistakeofbeing
soexhaustedthatitcannotflowfromafullhand,asitwere,asoftenasitfindsaworthy
object.
Youhavenoexcuse,therefore,forhearingwronglythehonourable,brave,and
heroicutterancesofthosewhopursuewisdom.Andpayheedfirsttothisitisonething
topursuewisdom,andanothertohavealreadyattainedwisdom.Amanofthefirsttype
willsaytoyou:"Mywordsaremostexcellent,butIstillwallowinevils,verymanyofthem.
Youhavenorighttorequiremetoliveuptomyownstandard.JustnowIamstill
fashioningandmouldingmyselfandtryingtoliftmyselftotheheightofaloftyidealwhenI
shallhaveaccomplishedallthatIhavesetbeforeme,thenrequiremetomakemy
actionsaccordwithmywords."Buthewhohasalreadyattainedtheheightofhuman
goodwillpleadwithyouotherwise,andwillsay:
<Ess2163>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xxiv.4xxv.2
"Inthefirstplace,youhavenorighttopermityourselftopassjudgementonyourbetters.
AsformeIhavealreadyhadthegoodfortunetowinthedispleasureofthewicked,which
isproofenoughofmyuprightness,but,thatImaygiveyoutheexplanationthatIgrudgeto
nomortalman,hearwhatImaintainandwhatvalueIsetoneachthing.Idenythatriches
areagoodforiftheywere,theywouldmakemengood.Asitis,sincethatwhichisfound
inthehandsofthewickedcannotbecalledagood,Irefusetoapplythetermtoriches.
NeverthelessIadmitthattheyaredesirable,thattheyareuseful,andthattheyaddgreat
comfortstoliving.
"Hear,then,sincewebothagreethattheyaredesirable,whatreasonIhavefornot
includingtheminthenumberofgoods,andinwhatrespectmyattitudetowardthem
differsfromyours.Placemeinahousethatismostsumptuous,placemewhereImay
havegoldandsilverplateforcommonuseIshallnotlookuptomyselfonaccountof
thesethings,which,eventhoughtheybelongtome,areneverthelessnopartofme.Take
metotheSublicianBridge\aandcastmeamongthebeggarsneverthelessIshallnotfind
reasontolookdownuponmyselfbeeauseIsitinthecompanyofthosewhostretchout
theirhandsforalms.Forwhatdifferencedoesitmakewhetheramanlacksapieceof
breadwhenhedoesnotlackthepossibilityofdying?Andwhatistheconclusion?Iprefer
thatgorgeoushousetotheBridge!Placemeinthemidstofsumptuousfurnishingsand
thetrappingsofluxuryIshallnotthinkmyselfonewhithappierbecauseIhaveasoft
mantle,becausemyguestsreclineonpurple.ChangemymattressIshall
<Ess2165>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xxv.24
benotawhitmorewretchedifmyweariedneckmustrestonahandfulofhay,ifIshall
sleeponacushion\aoftheCircuswiththestuffingspillingoutthroughitspatchesofold
cloth.Andwhatistheconclusion?Iprefertodisplaythestateofmysoulcladratherinthe
togaandshoesthanshowingnakedshouldersandwithcutsonmyfeet.Letallmydays
passaccordingtomydesire,letnewfelicitationsbeaddedtotheold.Ishallnotonthis
accountbepuffedup.Changethiskindnessoftimetojusttheoppositefromthisquarter
andthatletmysoulbesmittenbyloss,bygrief,byvariousadversities,letnohourlack
somecauseforcomplaintIshallnotforthatreasoncallmyselfthemostwretchedofthe
wretchedIshallnotforthatreasoncurseanyonedayforIhaveseentoitthatformeno
dayshallbeblack.Andwhatistheconclusion?Iprefertotempermyjoys,ratherthanto
stiflemysorrows.
ThisiswhataSocrates\bwillsaytoyou:"Makemevictoroverthenationsofthe
world,letthevoluptuouscarofBacchusconveymeintriumphfromtherising\cofthesun
allthewaytoThebes,letthekingsofthenationsseeklawsfrommewhenfromevery
sideIshallbegreetedasagod,IshallthenmostofallrememberthatIamaman.
{common+}Thenwithsuchaloftyheightconnectstraightwayaheadlongfalltoaltered
fortuneletmebeplaceduponaforeignbarrow,\dtogracetheprocessionofaproudand

herepicturedasreturningfromhistriumphaljourneytoIndia.
dThefericulumwasastructureonwhichthespoilsandsometimesnoble
captivesweredisplayedinthetriumphalprocession.
<Ess2167>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xxv.48
brutalvictornowhitmorehumbleshallIbewhenIamdriveninfrontofthechariotof
anotherthanwhenlstooderectuponmyown."Andwhatistheconclusion?Afterall,I
prefertoconquerratherthantobecaptured.ThewholedomainofFortuneIshalldespise,
but,ifthechoicebeoffered,Ishallchoosethebetterpartofit.Whateverbefallsmewill
turnintoagood,butIpreferthatwhatbefallsmeshouldbethemorepleasantand
agreeablethingsandthosethatwillbelesstroublesometomanage.Forwhileyouare
nottosupposethatanyvirtueisacquiredwithouteffort,yetcertainvirtuesneedthespur,
certainonesthebridle.Justasthebodymustbeheldbackuponadownwardpath,and
beurgedupasteepascent,socertainvirtuesfollowthedownwardpath,andcertain
othersstruggleupthehill.Wouldanyonedoubtthatpatience+,fortitude,and
perseverance,andeveryvirtuethatpitsitselfagainsthardshipsandsubduesFortune
mustmountandstriveandstruggle?Andtellme,isitnotjustasevidentthatliberality,
moderation,andkindnesstakethedownwardpath?Inthecaseofthesewemustputa
check,uponthesoulforfearthatitmayslip,inthecaseoftheothers,withallourpower
weurgeandspuriton.Thereforeforpovertyweshallmakeuseofthosemorehardy
virtuesthatknowhowtofight,forrichesthosemorecautiousvirtuesthatadvanceon
tiptoeandyetkeeptheirbalance.Sincethereexiststhisdistinctionbetweenthem,I
prefertoappropriateformyselfthevirtuesthatcanbepractisedwithcomparative
tranquillity,ratherthanthosewhoseexercisedrawsbloodandsweat."Consequently,"
saysthewiseman,"Idonotliveonewayanddtalkanother,butItalkone
<Ess2169>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xxv.8xxvi.4
wayandyouhearanotheronlythesoundofmywordsreachesyourears,whatthey
meanyoudonotinquire."
"Whatthen,"yousay,"isthedifferencebetweenyou,thewiseman,andme,the
fool,ifwebothwishtohaveriches?"Theverygreatestforintheeyesofawiseman
richesareaslave,intheeyesoffoolsamaster\athewisemangrantsnoimportanceto
riches,toyourichesareeverything.Youaccustomyourselftothemandclingtothem
justasifsomeonehadassuredyouthattheywouldbealastingpossessionthewise
manneverreflectssomuchuponpovertyaswhenheabidesinthemidstofriches.No
generalevertrustssowhollytopeaceastofailtomakereadyforawarthathasbeen
declared,evenifitisnotyetbeingwaged.Asforyou,abeautifulhousemakesyou
arrogant,justasifitcouldneverbeburnedortumbledownyouarestupefiedbyyour
wealth,justasifithadescapedeveryriskandhadbecomesogreatthatFortunehadlost
allpowertodestroyit.Idlyyouplaywithyourriches,anddonotdescrythedangerthey
areinyouarelikethebarbarianswho,usally,whentheyareblockaded,havingno
knowledgeoftheenginesofwar,watchwithindifferencetheeffortofthebesiegers,and
donotsurmisethepurposeoftheconstructionsthatarebeingerectedafar.Soitiswith
youyoulollinthemidstofyourpossessions,andgivenoheedtothemanydisastersthat
threatenfromeverysideandalltoosoonwillcarryoffthecostlyspoils.Butthewiseman
whoeverstealsawayhisricheswillstillleavetohimallthatishisown\bforheeverlives
happyinthepresentandunconcernedaboutthefuture.
<Ess2171>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xxvi.47
"Uponnothing,"saysaSocrates,oranyotherwhohaslikeauthorityandlikeabilityto
copewithhumanaffairs,"amImorestronglyresolvedthannottochangemycourseof
lifetosuityouropinion.HeapuponmefromeverysidetheusualtauntsIshallnot
considerthatyouarerailingatme,butthatyouarewailinglikepoorlittlebabies."These
willbethewordsofhimwhohasfoundwisdom,whosesoul,freefromallvices,bidshim
chideothers,notbecausehehatesthem,butinordertocurethem.And,too,hewilladd
others:"Youropinionofmemovesme,notonmyownaccount,butonyoursfortohate
andtoassailvirtuewithyouroutcry,istodisavowthehopeofbeinggood.Youdomeno
harm,butneitherdomenharmthegodswhentheyoverturntheiraltars.Butevilintention
andanevilpurposeareapparentevenwheretherehasbeennopowertoharm.Iputup
withyourbabblingsevenasJupiterGreatestandBestputsupwiththesillyfanciesofthe
poets,oneofwhomgivestohimwings,anotherhorns,anotherpictureshimasthegreat
adultererstayingoutallnight,\aanotherascrueltowardthegods,\banotherasunjust
towardmen,anotherastheravisheroffreebornyouths\candevenofhiskinsmen,
anotherasaparricideandusurperofanother'sthronehisownfather'stoo.Allthatthey
haveaccomplishedisthatmenarerelievedofshameatdoingwrongiftheybehevethat
thegodsaresuch.Butalthoughyourwordsdomenoharm,neverthelessforyourown
sakeIprofferadvice.Haverespectforvirtue,givecredencetothosewho,havinglong
pursuedher,proclaimthattheythemselvesarepursuingsomethingthatisgreatandthat
everydayseems
<Ess2173>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xxvi.7xxvii.1
greater,anddoyoureverenceherasyoudothegods,andherexponentsasthepriests
ofthegods,andwheneveranymentionismadeofsacredwritings,"befavourablewith
yourtongues."\aThisexpressionisnotderived,asverymanyimagine,from"favour"in
thesenseof"applause,"butenjoinssilenceinorderthatsacrificemaybeperformed
accordingtoritualwithouttheinterruptionofanillomenedword.Butitisfarmore
necessarythatyoulaythiscommanduponyourself,inorderthat,wheneverutteranceis
deliveredfromthatoracle,youmaylistenwithattentiveearandhushedvoice.Whenever
someone,shakingtherattle,\bpretendstospeakwithauthority,wheneversomeone
dexterousinslashinghismusclesmakesbloodyhisarmsandhisshoulderswithlight
hand,wheneversomewomanhowlsasshecreepsalongthestreetonherknees,andan
oldman,cladinlinenandcarryingalampinbroaddaylightandabranchoflaurel,cries
outthatsomeoneofthegodsisangry,yougatherinacrowdandgiveearand,fostering
eachother'sdumbamazement,affirmthatheisdivine!Lo!fromthatprison,whichhe
purifiedbyenteringitandmademorehonourablethananysenatehouse,Socratescries
out:"Whatmadnessisthis,whatinstinctisthisatwarwithgodsandmenthatleadsyou
tocalumniatethevirtuesandbyyourwickedtalktoprofaneholythings?Ifyouareable,
praisethegood,ifnot,ignorethembutifyoutakepleasureinindulginginyourfoulabuse,
assailyouone
|
bantes,thefrenziedworshippersofCybelecf.Lucretius,ii.630sq.:
nnumerumqueexultantsanguinolenti.
<Ess2175>
ONTHE,HAPPYLIFE,xxvii.15
another.ForwhenyourageagainstheavenIdonotsay,'Youarecommittingsacrilege,'
but'Youarewastingyourtime.'IonceaffordedAristophanes\asubjectmatterforhis
jokes,thewholecompanyofcomicpoetshaspoureduponmetheirenvenomedwit.Yet
theirveryeffortstoassailmyvirtueaddedtoitslustreforifprofitsfrombeingexposed
andtested,andnoneunderstandbetterhowgreatitisthanthosewhohaveperceivedits
strengthbyattackingit.Noneknowbetterthehardnessotflintthanthosewhostrikeit.I
showmyselflikesomelonelyrockinthesea,whichthewavesneverceasetobeatupon
fromwhateverquartertheyhavecome,yetforallthattheycannotmoveitfromitsbase
norwearitawaybytheirceaselessattackthroughcountlessages.Leapuponme,make
yourassaultIshallconqueryoubyenduring.Whateverstrikesagainstthatwhichisfirm
andunconquerableexpendsitspowertoitsownhurt.Accordingly,seeksomesoftand
yieldingobjectinwhichtostickyourdarts."
Butasforyou,haveyoutheleisuretosearchoutothers'evilsandtopass
judgementuponanybody?"Whydoesthisphilosopherhavesuchaspacioushouse?"
Whydoesthisonedinesosumptuously?"yousay.Youlookatthepimplesofothers
whenyouyourselvesarecoveredwithamassofsores.{Jesus+}Thisisjustasif
someonewhowasdevouredbyafoulitchshouldmockatthemoles\bandthewartson
bodiesthataremostbeautiful.TauntPlato\cbecausehesoughtformoney,Aristotle
becausehe
<Ess2177>
ONTHEHAPPYLIFE,xxvii.5xxviii.
acceptedit,Democritusbecausehedisregardedit,Epicurusbecausehespentitfling
AlcibiadesaandPhaedrusinmyownteeththoughitwillproveyourhappiesttimewhen
youaresofortunateastocopymyvices!Whydoyounotratherlookaboutyouatyour
ownsinsthatrendyouoneveryside,someassailingyoufromwithout,othersragingin
yourveryvitals.Humanaffairsevenifyouhaveinsufficientknowledgeofyourown
positionhavenotyetreachedthesituationinwhichyoumayhavesuchsuperfluityof
sparetimeastofindleisuretowagyourtongueinabusingyourbetters.
Thisyoudonotunderstand,andyouwearanairthatillaccordswithyourcondition
youarelikethemanywholoungeintheCircusorinatheatrewhiletheirhomeisalready
wrappedinmourningandtheyhavenotyetheardtheevilnews.ButI,lookingfromthe
heights,seethestormsthatthreatenandalittlelaterwillburstuponyouinaflood,or,
alreadynear,havedrawnstillclosertosweepawaybothyouandyours.Whysaymore?
Arenotyourmindsevennowthoughyoulittleknowitwhirledandspunaboutasif
somehrricanehadseizedthem,whiletheyfleeandpursuetheselfsamethings,andnow
areliftedtotheskies,andnowaredashedtothelowestdepths?...\b

bTherestoftheessayislost
<Ess2179>

DEOTIO+
BOOKVIII
TOSERENUSONLEISURE
...\awithgreataccordcommendtousthevices.Althoughweattemptnothing
elsethatwouldbebeneficial,neverthelessretirementinitselfwilldousgoodweshallbe
betterbyourselves.Andwhatoftheopportunitytoretiretothesocietyofthebestmen,\b
andtoselectsomemodelbywhichwemaydirectourownlives?Butwecandothisonly
inleisure.Onlythenisitpossibleforustomaintainwhatwehaveonceresolvedupon,
whenthereisnoonewhocaninterfereandwiththehelpofthecrowdturnasideour
decisionwhileitisstillweakonlythenisitpossibleforlife,inwhichwearenowdistracted
bythemostdiverseaims,toprogressalonganevenandsinglecourse.Foramongall
therestofourillsthisistheworstthehabitofchangingourveryvices.Sowedonot
haveeventhegoodfortunetopersistinanevilthatwealreadyknow.Wefindpleasure
firstinoneandtheninanother,andthetroubleisthatourchoicesarenotonlywrong,but
alsofickle.Wearetossedaboutandclutchatone

a<thebeginningoftheessayismissing>
bi.e.,thecompanyofthebestbooks.
<Ess2181>
ONLEISURE
thingafteranotherwhatwehavesoughtweabandon,andwhatwehave
abandonedweseekagain,andoscillateeverbetweendesireandrepentance.Forwe
dependwhollyonthejudgementsofothers,andthatwhichthemanyseekandpraise
seemstousthebestnotthatwhichdeservestobesoughtandpraisedandwedonot
considerwhetherthewayinitselfisgoodorbad,butthenumberoffootprintsithasand
noneoftheseareofmenwhoarecomingback!\aYouwillsaytome:"Whatareyou
doing,Seneca?Areyoudesertingyourparty?SurelyyouStoicssay:'Weshallengage
inaffairstotheveryendoflife,weshallneverceasetoworkforthecommongood,to
helpeachandall,togiveaideventoourenemieswhenourhandisfeeblewithage.We
arethosewhograntnoexemptionfromservicebyreasonofyears,and,asthatmost
giftedpoetputsit,
Uponourhoaryheadswethrustthehelm.\b
Wearethosewhoholdsostronglythatthereshouldbenoleisurebeforedeaththat,if
circumstancepermits,wetakenoleisurefordeathitself.'Whyintheveryheadquartersof
ZenodoyoupreachthedoctrinesofEpicurus?Why,ifyouaretiredofyourparty,doyou
notwithallspeeddesertitratherthanbetrayit?"ForthepresentIshallhaveonlythisreply
tomaketoyou:"WhatmoredoyouexpectofmethanthatIshouldimitatemyleaders?
Andwhatthen?Ishallnotgowhithertheydespatchme,butwhithertheyleadme."\c
{publicservice+}
RightnowIshallprovetoyouthatIamnotinrevoltagainsttheteachingsofthe
Stoicsfortheythemselveshavenotrevoltedagainsttheirownteach
<Ess2183>
ONLEISURE,ii.1iii.1
ingseither.AndyetImightpleadaverygoodexcuseevenifIdidfollowtheirexamples
andnottheirteachings.WhatIhavetosayIshalldevelopundertwoheads,showing,
first,thatitispossibfeforamantosurrenderhimselfwhollytothecontemplationoftruth,
tosearchouttheartofliving,andtopractiseitinretirement,evenfromhisearliestyears
secondly,that,whenamanhasnowearnedreleasefrompublicservice+andhislifeis
almostover,itispossiblethathemaywithperfectjusticedothesamethingandturnhis
mindtoquitedifferentactivities,\aafterthemanneroftheVestalvirgins,whoseyearsare
allottedtovarieddutieswhiletheyarelearningtoperformthesacredrites,and,whenthey
havelearned,theybegintoteach.Ishallshow,too,thattheStoicsalsoacceptthis
doctrine,notbecauseIhavemadeitmyruletosetupnothingcontrarytotheteachingof
ZenoorChrysippus,butbecausethematteritselfsuffersmetoadopttheiropinionforifa
manalwaysfollowstheopinionofoneperson,hisplaceisnotinthesenate,butina
faction.Wouldthatallthingswerenowunderstood,thattruthwereuncoveredand
revealed,andthatweneveralteredourmandates!Asitis,weareinsearchoftruthin
companywiththeverymenthatteachit.Thetwosects,theEpicureansandtheStoics,
areatvariance,asinmostthings,inthismatteralsotheybothdirectustoleisure,butby
differentroads.Epicurus\bsays:"Thewisemanwillnotengageinpublicaffairsexceptin
anemergency."Zenosays:"HeWillengageinpublicaffairsunlesssomethingprevents
him."
Theoneseeksleisurebyfixedpur
<Ess2185>
ONLEISURE,iii.3iv.1
posetheotherforaspecialcausebuttheterm"cause"hasherebroadapplication.Ifthe
stateistoocorrupttobehelped,ifitiswhollydominatedbyevils,thewisemanwillnot
struggletonopurpose,norspendhimselfwhennothingistobegained.Ifheislackingin
influenceorpowerandthestateisunwillingtoaccepthisservices,ifheishamperedbyill
health,hewillnotenteruponacourseforwhichheknowsheisunfitted,justashewould
notlaunchupontheseaabatteredship,justashewouldnotenlistforserviceinthearmy
ifheweredisabled.Consequently,itisalsopossiblethatamanwhosefortunesarestill
unharmedmayestablishhimselfinasaferetreatbeforeheexperiencesanyofthestorms
oflife,andthenceforthdevotehimselftotheliberal_studies+anddemanduninterrupted
leisuretocultivatethevirtues,whicheventhosewhoaremostretiredareabletopractise.
Itisofcourserequiredofamanthatheshouldbenefithisfellowmenmanyifhecan,if
not,afewifnotafew,thosewhoarenearestifnotthese,himself.Forwhenherenders
himselfusefultoothers,heengagesinpublicaffairs.Justasthemanthatchoosesto
becomeworseinjuresnotonlyhimselfbutallthosewhom,ifhehadbecomebetter,he
mighthavebenefited,sowhoeverwinstheapprovalofhimselfbenefitsothersbythevery
factthatheprepareswhatwillprovebeneficialtothem.
Letusgrasptheideathattherearetwocommonwealths+theone,avastand
trulycommonstate,whichembracesalikegodsandmen,inwhichwelookneithertothis
cornerofearthnortothat,butmeasure,theboundsofourcitizenshipbythepathofthe
suntheother,theonetowhichwehave
<Ess2187>
ONLEISURE,iv.1v.2
beenassignedbytheaccidentofbirth.ThiswillbethecommonwealthoftheAthenians
oroftheCarthaginians,orofanyothercitythatbelongs,nottoall,buttosomeparticular
raceofmen.Someyieldservicetobothcommonwealthsatthesametimetothegreater
andtothelessersomeonlytothelesser,someonlytothegreater.Thisgreater
commonwealthweareabletoserveeveninleisurenay,Iiminclinedtothink,even
betterinleisuresothatwemayinquirewhatvirtueis,andwhetheritisoneormany
whetheritisnatureorartthatmakesmengoodwhetherthisworld,whichembraces
seasandlandsandthethingsthatarecontainedintheseaandland,isasolitary
creation\aorwhetherGodhasstrewnaboutmanysystems\bofthesamesortwhether
allthematterfromwhicheverythinngisformediscontinuousandcompact\c,orwhether
itisdisjunctiveandavoidisinterrnidgledwiththesolidwhatGodiswhetherheidly
gazesuponhishandiwork,ordirectsitwhetherheencompassesitwithout,orpervades
thewholeofitwhethertheworldiseternal,oristobecountedamongthethingsthat
perishandarebornonlyforatime.Andwhatservicedoeshewhopondersthesethings
renderuntogod?HekeepsthemightyworksofGodfrombeingwithoutawitness!We
arefondofsayingthatthehighestgoodistoliveaccordingtoNature.Naturehas
begottenusforbothpurposesforcontemplationandforaction.Letmenowprovethe
firststatement.Butwhyanythingmore?Willnotthisbeprovedifeachoneofusshall
takecounselsimplyofhimself,andponderhowgreatishisdesiretogainknowledgeof
theunknown,andhowthisdesireisstirredbytalesofeverysort?Somesailtheseaand
endurethehardshipsof
<Ess2189>
ONLETSURE,v.25
journeyingtodistantlandsforthesolerewardofdiscoveringsomethinghiddenand
remote.Itisthisthatcollectspeopleeverywheretoseesights,itisthisthatforcesthem
topryintothingsthatareclosed,tosearchoutthemorehiddenthings,tounrollthepast,
andtolistentothetalesofthecustomsofbarbaroustribes.Naturehasbestowedupon
usaninquisitivedisposition,andbeingwellawareofherownskillandbeauty,has
begottenustobespectatorsofhermightyarray,sinceshewouldlosethefruitofher
labourifherworks,sovast,soglorious,soartfullycontrived,sobrightandsobeautifulin
morewaysthanone,weredisplayedtoalonelysolitude.Thatyoumayunderstandhow
shewishedus,notmerelytobeholdher,buttogazeuponher,seethepositioninwhich
shehasplacedus.Shehassetusinthecentreofhercreation,andhasgrantedusa
viewthatsweepstheuniverseandshehasnotonlycreatedmanerect,butinordertofit
himforcontemplationofherself,shehasgivenhimaheadtotopthebody,andsetitupon
apliantneck,inorderthathemightfollowthestarsastheyglidefromtheirrisingtotheir
settingandturnhisfaceaboutwiththewholerevolvingheaven.Andbesides,guidingon
theircoursesixconstellationsbyday,andsixbynight,sheleftnopartofherself
unrevealed,hopingthatbythesewonderswhichshehadpresentedtoman'seyesshe
mightalsoarousehiscuriosityintherest.Forwehavenotbeheldthemall,northefull
compassofthem,butourvisionopensupapathforitsinvestigation,andlaysthe
foundationsoftruthsothatourresearchmaypassfromrevealedtohiddenthingsand
discoversomethingmoreancientthantheworlditselfwhenceyonstarscameforth,
what
<Ess2191>
ONLEISURE,v.56
wasthestateoftheuniversebeforetheseveralelementsseparatedtoformitsparts,
whatprincipleseparatedtheengulfedandconfusedelements,whoappointedtheirplaces
tothings,whethertheheavyelementssankandthelightonesflewaloftbyreasonoftheir
ownnature,\aorapartfromtheenergyandgravityofmattersomehigherpower\bhas
appointedlawsforeachofthem,orwhetherthattheoryistruewhichstrivesespeciallyto
provethatmanispartofthedivinespirit,thatsomepart,sparks,asitwere,ofthestars
felldowntoearthandlingeredhereinaplacethatisnottheirown.Ourthoughtbursts
throughtheramparts\cofthesky,andisnotcontenttoknowthatwhichisrevealed."I
searchoutthat,"itsays,"whichliesbeyondtheworldwhetherthevastnessofspaceis
unending,orwhetherthisalsoisenclosedwithinitsownboundarieswhatisthe
appearanceofwhateverexistsoutside,whetheritisformlessanddisordered,occupying
thesameamountofroomineverydirection,orwhetherthatalsohasbeenarrangedinto
someshowofelegancewhetheritclingsclosetothisworld,orhaswithdrawnfarfromit
andrevolvesthereinthevoidwhetheritisatoms\dbymeansofwhicheverythingthat
hasbeenbornandwillbebornisbuiltuporwhetherthematterofthingsiscontinuous
andthroughoutiscapableofchange\ewhethertheelementsarehostiletoeachother,or
whethertheyarenotatwar,butwhiletheydifferarein

dTheEpicureanview.
eAnallusiontotheStoicdoctrineofthetransmutationofthefourelementsinfixed
order.Seenote,Vol.I.p.204.
<Ess2193>
ONLEISURE,v.7vi.3
harmony."Sincemanwasbornforinquiringintosuchmattersasthese,considerhow
littletimehasbeenallottedtohimevenifheclaimsthewholeofitforhimself.Thoughhe
allowsnoneofittobesnatchedfromhimbyease,noneofittobelostthrough
carelessness,thoughheguardshishourswithmostmiserlycare,andattainstothe
utmostlimitofhumanlife,thoughFortunewrecksnopartofthatwhichNaturehas
appointedforhim,yetmanistoomortaltocomprehendthingsimmortal.{Pope+}
ConsequentlyIliveaccordingtoNatureifIsurrendermyselfentirelytoher,ifIbecomeher
admirerandworshipper.ButNatureintendedmetodobothtobeactive44andtohave
leisureforcontemplation.AndreallyIdoboth,sinceeventhecontemplativelifeisnot
devoidofaction.\a
"Butitmakesadifference,"yousay,"whetheryouhaveresortedtothatmerelyfor
thesakeofpleasure,demandingnothingfromitexceptunbrokencontemplationwithout
practicalresultforthatlifeispleasantandhasitsowncharms."InanswertothisIsay
thatitmakesjustasmuchdifferenceinwhatspirityouengageinpubliclifewhetheryou
arealwaysdistraught,andnevertakeanytimetoturnyoureyesfromhumanaffairstothe
thingsofheaven.Justastoseekwealthwithoutanyloveofthevirtuesandwithoutthe
cultivationofcharacter,andtodisplayaninterestinbareworkonlyisbynomeanstobe
commendedforallthesemustbecombinedandgohandinhandsowhenvirtueis
banishedtoleisurewithoutactionitisanimperfectandspiritlessgood,thatneverbrings
whatithaslearnedintotheopen.WhowilldenythatVirtueoughttotestherprogressby
opendeed,andshould
<Ess2195>
ONLEISURE,vi.3vii.1
notonlyconsiderwhatoughttobedone,butalsoattimesapplyherhandandbringinto
realitywhatshehasconceived?Butifthehindranceisnotinthewisemanhimselfif
whatislackingisnotthedoer,butthethingstobedone,willyouthenpermithimtocourt
hisownsoul?Andwithwhatthoughtdoesthewisemanretireintoleisure?Inthe
knowledgethattherealsohewillbedoingsomethingthatwillbenefitposterity.Ourschool
atanyrateisreadytosaythatbothZenoandChrysippusaccomplishedgreaterthings
thaniftheyhadledarmies,heldpublicoffice,andframedlaws.Thelawstheyframed
werenotforonestateonly,butforthewholehumanrace.Why,therefore,shouldsuch
leisureasthisnotbefittingforthegoodman,whobymeansofitmaygoverntheagesto
come,andspeak,nottotheearsofthefew,buttotheearsofallmenofallnations,both
thosewhonowareandthosewhoshallbe?Inbrief,IaskyouwhetherCleanthesand
ChrysippusandZenolivedinaccordancewiththeirteachings.Undoubtedlyyouwillreply
thattheylivedjustastheytaughtthatmenoughttolive.Andyetnooneofthemgoverned
astate.Youreply:"Theyhadneitherthefortunenortherankwhichordinarilyadmitoneto
themanagementofpublicaffairs."But,nevertheless,theydidnotleadalifeofsloththey
foundawaytomaketheirownreposeagreaterhelptomankindthanallthepotherand
sweatofothers.Therefore,thoughtheyplayednopublicpart,theynonethelesshave
beenthoughttohaveplayedagreatpart.Moreover,therearethreekindsoflife,anditisa
commonquestionastowhichofthemisbest.One
<Ess2197>
ONLEISURE,vii.1viii.1
isdevotedtopleasure,asecondtocontemplation,athirdtoaction.Havingfirstputaway
ourstrifeandhavingputawaythehatredwhichwehaverelentlesslydeclaredagainst
thosewhopursueendsdifferentfromours,letusseehowallthese,underdifferent
names,cometothesamething.Forhewhosanctionspleasureisnotwithout
contemplation,norhewhosurrenderstocontemplationwithoutpleasure,norishewhose
lifeisdevotedtoactionwithoutcontemplation.Butyousay:"Whethersomethingisa
chiefaimorismerelyattachedtosomeotherchiefaimmakesaverygreatdifference."
Yes,grantthatthereisahugedifference,neverthelesstheonedoesnotexistwithoutthe
other.Thatmanisnotgiventocontemplationwithoutaction,northisonetoactionwithout
contemplation,nordoesthatthirdoneconcerningwhomwehaveagreedtoformabad
opiniongivesanctiontoidlepleasure,buttothepleasurethatherendersstablefor
himselfbyhisreasonthuseventhispleasurelovingsectisitselfcommittedtoaction.
Clearlyisitcommittedtoaction!sinceEpicurushimselfdeclaresthathewillattimes
withdrawfrompleasure,willevenseekpainifheforeseesthathewilleitherrepentof
pleasure,orwillbeabletosubstitutealesserpainforonethatisgreater.\bAndwhatis
mypurposeinstatingthesethings?Tomakeitclearthatcontemplationisfavouredbyall.
Somemenmakeittheiraimforusitisaroadstead,butnottheharbour.
Add,further,thatontheauthorityofChrysippusamanhasarighttolivealifeof
leisureIdonotmean,thathemaytolerateleisure,butthathemaychooseit.Ourschool
refusestoallowthewiseman
<Ess2199>
ONLEISURE,viu.14
toattachhimselftoanysortofstate.Butwhatdifferencedoesitmakeinwhatmanner
thewisemanarrivesatleisurewhetherbecausenostateisavailabletohimorbecause
heisnotavailabletothestateifheisnowheretofindastate?Besides,nostatewill
everbeavailabletothefastidioussearcher.Iaskyoutowhatstateshouldthewiseman
attachhimself?TothatoftheAthenians,inwhichSocrateswassenteneedtodeath,from
whichAristotlefledtoavoidbeingsentenced?inwhichallthevirtuesarecrushedby
envy?Surelyyouwillsaythatnowisemanwillwishtoattachhimselftothisstate.Shall
thewiseman,then,attachhimselftothestateoftheCarthaginians,inwhichfactionis
alwaysrifeandallthebestmenfind"freedom"theirfoe,inwhichjusticeandgoodness
havesupremecontempt,andenemiesaretreatedwithinhumancrueltyand
fellowcitizenslikeenemies?Fromthisstatealsowillbeflee.IfIshouldattemptto
enumeratethemonebyone,Ishouldnotfindasingleonewhichcouldtoleratethewise
manorwhichthewisemancouldtolerate.Butifthatstatewhichwedreamofcan
nowherebefound,leisurebeginstobeanecessityforallofus,becausetheonething
thatmighthavebeenpreferredtoleisurenowhereexists.Ifanyonesaysthatthebestlife
ofallistosailthesea,andthenaddsthatImustnotsailuponaseawhereshipwrecks
areacommonoccurrenceandthereareoftensuddenstormsthatsweepthehelmsman
inanadversedirection,Iconcludethatthisman,althoughhelaudsnavigation,really
forbidsmetolaunchmyship.\a

aThisessayisapparenetlyincomplete.
<Ess2201>

DETRANQUILLITATE+
BOOKIX
TOSERENUSONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND\
SERENUS\a:WhenImadeexaminationofmyself,itbecameevident,Seneca,
thatsomeofmyvicesareuncoveredanddisplayedsoopenlythatIcanputmyhand
uponthem,somearemorehiddenandlurkinacorner,somearenotalwayspresentbut
recuratintervalsandIshouldsaythatthelastarebyfarthemosttroublesome,beinglike
rovingenemiesthatspringupononewhentheopportunityoffers,andallowoneneitherto
bereadyasinwar,nortobeoffguardasinpeace.
NeverthelessthestateinwhichIfindmyselfmostofallforwhyshouldInotadmit
thetruthtoyouastoaphysician?isthatIhaveneitherbeenhonestlysetfreefromthe
thingsthatIhatedandfeared,nor,ontheotherhand,amIinbondagetothemwhilethe
conditioninwhichIamplacedisnottheworst,yetIamcomplainingandfretfullIam
neithersicknorwell.Thereisnoneedforyoutosaythatallthevirtuesareweaklyatthe
beginning,thatfirmnessandstrengthareaddedbytime.Iamwellawarealso

a<SenecaregardedSerenuswith>thedeepestaffection.HisprematuredeathinA.D.63
isthesubjectofatouchingtributeinEpistles.lxiii.1416.Cf.Vol.1.Introd.p.xii.
<Ess2203>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,i.37
thatthevirtuesthatstruggleforoutwardshow,Imeanforpositionandthefameof
eloquenceandallthatcomesundertheverdictofothers,dogrowstrongerastime
passesboththosethatproviderealstrengthandthosethattrickusoutwithasortofdye
withaviewtopleasing,mustwaitlongyearsuntilgraduallylengthoftimedevelopscolour
butIgreatlyfearthathabit,whichbringsstabilitytomostthings,maycausethisfaultof
minetobecomemoredeeplyimplanted.Ofthingsevilaswellasgoodlongintercourse
induceslove.
Thenatureofthisweaknessofmindthathaltsbetweentwothingsandinclines
stronglyneithertotherightnortothewrong,Icannotshowyousowellallatonceasa
partatatimeIshalltellyouwhatbefallsmeyouwillfindanameformymalady.Iam
possessedbytheverygreatestloveoffrugality,ImustconfessIdonotlikeacouch
madeupfordisplay,norclothingbroughtforthfromachestorpressedbyweightsanda
thousandmanglestomake,itglossy,buthomelyandcheap,thatisneitherpreservednor
tobeputonwithanxiouscarethefoodthatIlikeisneitherpreparednorwatchedbya
householdofslaves,itdoesnotneedtobeorderedmanydaysbeforenortobeservedby
manyhands,butiseasytogetandabundantthereisnothingfarfetchedorcostlyabout
it,nowherewilltherebeanylackofit,itisburdensomeneithertothepursenortothe
body,norwillitreturnbythewayitenteredtheservantthatIlikeisayounghomeborn
slavewithouttrainingorskillthesilverismycountrybredfather'sheavyplatebearingno
stampofthemaker'sname,andthetableisnotnotableforthevarietyofitsmarkingsor
knownto
<Ess2205>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,i.710
thetownfromthemanyfashionableownersthroughwhosehandsithaspassed,butone
thatstandsforuse,andwillneithercausetheeyesofanyguesttolingeruponitwith
pleasurenorfirethemwithenvy.Then,afterallthesethingshavehadmyfullapproval,
mymindisdazzledbythemagnificenceofsometrainingschoolforpages,bythesightof
slavesbedeckedwithgoldandmorecarefullyarrayedthantheleadersofapublic
procession,andawholeregimentofglitteringattendantsbythesightofahousewhere
oneeventreadsonpreciousstonesandrichesarescatteredaboutineverycorner,
wheretheveryroofsglitter,andthewholetownpayscourtandescortsaninheritanceon
theroadtoruin.AndwhatshallIsayofthewaters,transparenttothebottom,thatflow
aroundtheguestsevenastheybanquet,whatofthefeaststhatareworthyoftheir
setting?Comingfromalongabandonmenttothrift,luxuryhaspouredaroundmethe
wealthofitssplendour,andechoedaroundme,oneveryside.Mysightfaltersalittle,for
Icanliftupmyhearttowardsitmoreeasilythanmyeyes.AndsoIcomeback,not
worse,butsadder,andIdonotwalkamongmypaltrypossessionswithheaderectas
before,andthereentersasecretstingandthedoubtwhethertheotherlifeisnotbetter.
Noneofthesethingschangesme,yetnoneofthemfailstodisturbme.{PlainDealer+}I
resolvetoobeythecommandsofmyteachersandplungeintothemidstofpubliclifeI
resolvetotrytogainofficeandtheconsulship,attractedofcourse,notbythepurpleorby
thelictor'srods,butbythedesiretobemoreserviceableandusefultomyfriendsand
relativesandallmycountrymenandthantoallmankind.{publicservice+}Readyand
determined,Ifollow
<Ess2207>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,i.1013
Zeno,\aCleanthes,andChrysippus,ofwhomnonethelessnotonecatereduponpublic
life,andnotonefailedtourgeotherstodoso.Andthen,wheneversomethingupsetsmy
mind,whichisunusedtomeetingshocks,wheneversomethinghappensthatiseither
unworthyofme,andmanysuchoccurinthelivesofallhumanbeings,orthatdoesnot
proceedveryeasily,orwhenthingsthat.arenottobeaccountedofgreatvaluedemand
muchofmytime,Iturnbacktomyleisure,andjustasweariedflockstoodo,Iquickenmy
pacetowardshome.Iresolvetoconfinemylifewithinitsownwalls:"Letnoone,"Isay,
"whowillmakemenoworthyreturnforsuchalossrobmeofasingledayletmymindbe
fixeduponitself,letitcultivateitself,letitbusyitselfwithnothingoutside,nothingthatlooks
towardsanumpire\bletitlovethetranquillitythatisremotefrompublicandprivate
concern."Butwhenmymindhasbeenarousedbyreadingofgreatbravery,andnoble
exampleshaveappliedthespur,Iwanttorushintotheforum,tolendmyvoicetoone
mantooffersuchassistancetoanotheras,evenifitwillnothelp,willbeanefforttohelp
ortochecktheprideofsomeoneintheforumwhohasbeenunfortunatelypuffedupby
hissuccesses.
AndinmyliterarystudiesIthinkthatitissurelybettertofixmyeyeonthetheme
itself,and,keepingthisuppermostwhenIspeak,totrustmeanwhiletothethemeto
supplythewordssothatunstudiedlanguagemayfollowitwhereveritleads.
{PlainDealer+}Isay:"Whatneedistheretocomposesomethingthatwilllastfor
centuries?Willyounotgiveupstrivingtokeepposterityfrombeingsilentaboutyou?You
werebornfordeathasilentfuneralislesstroublesome!
<Ess2209>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,i.1317
Andsotopassthetime,writesomethinginsimplestyle,foryourownuse,notfor
publicationtheythatstudyforthedayhavelessneedtolabour."Thenagain,whenmy
mindhasbeenupliftedbythegreatnessofitsthoughts,itbecomesambitiousofwords,
andwithhigheraspirationsitdesireshigherexpression,andlanguageissuesforthto
matchthedignityofthethemeforgetfulthenofmyruleandofmymorerestrained
judgement,Iamswepttoloftierheightsbyanutterancethatisnolongermyown.
Nottoindulgelongerindetails,Iaminallthingsattendedbythisweaknessofgood
intention.InfactIfearthatIamgraduallylosingground,or,whatcausesmeevenmore
worry,thatIamhanginglikeonewhoisalwaysonthevergeoffalling,andthatperhapsI
aminamoreseriousconditionthanImyselfperceiveforwetakeafavourableviewofour
privatematters,andpartialityalwayshampersourjudgement.Ifancythatmanymen
wouldhavearrivedatwisdomiftheyhadnotfanciedthattheyhadalreadyarrived,ifthey
hadnotdissembledaboutcertaintraitsintheircharacterandpassedbyotherswiththeir
eyesshut.Forthereisnoreasonforyoutosupposethattheadulationofotherpeopleis
moreruinoustousthanourown.Whodarestotellhimselfthetruth?Who,thoughheis
surroundedbyahordeofapplaudingsycophants,isnotforallthathisowngreatest
flatterer?{modesty+}Ibegyou,therefore,ifyouhaveanyremedybywhichyoucouldstop
thisfluctuationofmine,todeemmeworthyofbeingindebtedtoyoufortranquillity.Iknow
thatthesementaldisturbancesofminearenotdangerousandgivenopromiseofa
stormtoexpresswhatIcomplainofinapt
<Ess2211>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,i.17ii.3
metaphor,Iamdistressed,notbyatempest,butbyseasickness.
Doyou,then,takefrommethistrouble,whateveritbe,andrushtotherescueof
onewhoisstrugglinginfullsightofland.
SENECA:Intruth,Serenus,Ihaveforalongtimebeensilentlyaskingmyselfto
whatIshouldlikensuchaconditionofmind,andIcanfindnothingthatsoclosely
approachesitasthestateofthosewho,afterbeingreleasedfromalongandserious
illness,aresometimestouchedwithfitsoffeverandslightdisorders,and,freedfromthe
lasttracesofthem,areneverthelessdisquietedwithmistrust,and,thoughnowquitewell,
stretchouttheirwristtoaphysicianandcomplainunjustlyofanytraceofheatintheir
body.Itisnot,Serenus,thatthesearenotquitewellinbody,butthattheyarenotquite
usedtobeingwelljustasevenatranquilseawillshowsomeripple,particularlywhenit
hasjustsubsidedafterastorm.Whatyouneed,therefore,isnotanyofthoseharsher
measureswhichwehavealreadyleftbehind,thenecessityofopposingyourselfatthis
point,ofbeingangrywithyourselfatthat,ofsternlyurgingyourselfonatanother,butthat
whichcomeslastconfidenceinyourselfandthebeliefthatyouareontherightpath,and
havenotbeenledastraybythemanycrosstracksofthosewhoareroaminginevery
direction,someofwhomarewanderingverynearthepathitself.Butwhatyoudesireis
somethinggreatandsupremeandveryneartobeingagodtobeunshaken.
ThisabidingstabilityofmindtheGreekscalleuthyimia,"wellbeingofthesoul,"on
whichthereisanexcellenttreatisebyDemocritusIcallittranquillity.Forthereisnoneed
toimitateandrepro
<Ess2213>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,ii.37
ducewordsintheirGreekshapethethingitself,whichisunderdiscussion,mustbe
designatedbysomenamewhichoughttohave,nottheform,buttheforce,oftheGreek
term.Whatweareseeking,therefore,ishowthemindmayalwayspursueasteadyand
favourablecourse,maybewelldisposedtowardsitself,andmayviewitsconditionwith
joy,andsuffernointerruptionofthisjoy,butmayabideinapeacefulstate,beingnever
upliftednorevercastdown.Thiswillbe"tranquillity."Letusseekinageneralwayhowit
maybeobtainedthenfromtheuniversalremedyyouwillappropriateasmuchasyoulike.
Meanwhilewemustdragforthintothelightthewholeoftheinfirmity,andeachonewill
thenrecognizehisownshareofitatthesametimeyouwillunderstandhowmuchless
troubleyouhavewithyourselfdepreciationthanthosewho,fetteredtosomeshowy
declarationandstrugglingbeneaththeburdenofsomegrandtitle,areheldmoreby
shamethanbydesiretothepretencetheyaremaking.{PlainDealer+}
Allareinthesamecase,boththose,ontheonehand,whoareplaguedwith
ficklenessandboredomandacontinualshiftingofpurpose,andthose,ontheotherother,
wholollandyawn.Addalsothosewho,justlikethewretcheswhofindithardtosleep,
changetheirpositionandsettlefirstinonewayandtheninanother,untilfinallytheyfind
restthroughweariness.Byrepeatedlyalteringtheconditionoftheirlifetheyareatlastleft
inthatinwhich,notthedislikeofmakingachange,butoldage,thatshrinksfromnovelty,
hascaughtthem.Andaddalsothosewhobyfault,notoffirmnessofcharacter,butof
inertia,arenotfickleenough,andlive,notastheywish,butastheyhavebegun.The
characteristicsofthemalady
<Ess2215>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,ii.710
arecountlessinnumber,butithasonlyoneeffecttobedissatisfiedwithoneself.This
springsfromalackofmentalpoiseandfromtimidorunfulfilleddesires,whenmeneither
donotdare,ordonotattain,asmuchastheydesire,andbecomeentirelydependent
uponhopesuchmenarealwaysunstableandchangeable,asmustnecessarilybethe
fateofthosewholiveinsuspense.Theystrlvetoattaintheirprayersbyeverymeans,
theyteachandforcethemselvestododishonourableanddifficultthings,and,whentheir
effortiswithoutreward,theyaretorturedbythefruitlessdisgraceandgrieve,notbecause
theywishedforwhatwaswrong,butbecausetheywishedinvain.Thenregretforwhat
theyhavebegunlaysbolduponthem,andthefearofbeginningagain,andthencreepsin
theagitationofamindwhichcanfindnoissue,becausetheycanneitherrulenorobey
theirdesires,andthehesitancyofalifewhichfailstofinditswayclear,andthenthe
dullnessofasoulthatliestorpidamidabandonedhopes.Andallthesetendenciesare
aggravatedwhenfromhatredoftheirlaboriousillsuccessmenhavetakenrefugein
leisureandinsolitarystudies,whichareunendurabletoamindthatisintentuponpublic
affairs,desirousofaction,andnaturallyrestless,becauseassuredlyithastoofew
resourceswithinitselfwhen,therefore,thepleasureshavebeenwithdrawnwhich
businessitselfaffordstothosewhoarebusilyengaged,themindcannotendurehome,
solitude,andthewallsofaroom,andseeswithdislikethatithasbeenlefttoitself.
Fromthiscomesthatboredomanddissatisfactionandthevacillationofamind
thatnowherefindsrest,andthesadandlanguidenduranceofone'sleisure{Hamlet+?}
<Ess2217>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,ii.1012
especiallywhenoneisashamedtoconfesstherealcausesofthisconditionand
bashfullnessdrivesitstorturesinwardthedesirespentupwithinnarrowbounds,from
whichthereisnoescape,strangleoneanother.Thencecomesmourningand
melancholyandthethousandwaveringsofanunsettledmind,whichitsaspirationsholdin
suspenseandthendisappointmentrendersmelancholy.Thencecomesthatfeeling
whichmakesmenloathetheirownleisureandcomplainthattheythemselveshave
nothingtobebusywiththencetoothebitterestjealousyoftheadvancementsofothers.
Fortheirunhappyslothfostersenvy,and,becausetheycouldnotsucceedthemselves,
theywisheveryoneelsetoberuinedthenfromthisaversiontotheprogressofothers
anddespairoftheirowntheirmindbecomesincensedagainstFortune,andcomplainsof
thetimes,andretreatsintocornersandbroodsoveritstroubleuntilitbeconieswearyand
sickofitself.Foritisthenatureofthehumanmindtobeactiveandpronetomovement.
Welcometoitiseveryopportunityforexcitementanddistraction,andstillmorewelcome
toallthoseworstnatureswhichwillinglywearthemselvesoutinbeingemployed.Justas
therearesomesoreswhichcravethehandsthatwillhurtthemandrejoicetobe,
touched,andasafoulitchofthebodydelightsinwhateverscratchcs,exactlyso,Iwould
say,dothesemindsuponwhich,sotospeak,desireshavebrokenoutlikewickedsores
findpleasureintoilandvexation.Fortherearecertainthingsthatdelightourbodyalso
whilecausingitasortofpain,asturningoverandchangingasidethatisnotyettiredand
takingonepositionafteranothertogetcool.Homer'sheroAchillesislikethatlyingnow
onhisface,now
<Ess2219>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,1215
onhisback,\aplacinghimselfinvariousattitudes,and,justassickmendo,enduring
nothingverylongandusingchangesasremedies.
Hencemenundertakewiderangingtravel,andwanderoverremoteshores,and
theirfickleness,alwaysdiscontentedwiththepresent,givesproofofitselfnowonland
andnowonsea."NowletusheadforCampania,"theysay.Andnowwhensoftliving
palls,"Letusseethewildparts,"theysay,"letushuntoutthepassesofBruttiumand
Lucania."Andyetamidthatwildernesssomethingismissingsomethingpleasant
whereintheirpamperedeyesmayfindrelieffromthelastingsqualorofthoserugged
regions:"LetusheadforTarentumwithitsfamousharbouranditsmildwinterclimate,
andaterritoryrichenoughtohaveahordeofpeopleeveninantiquity."Toolonghavetheir
earsmissedtheshoutsandthedinitdelightsthembynoweventoenjoyhumanblood:
"Letusnowturnourcoursetowardthecity."Theyundertakeonejourneyafteranother
andchangespectacleforspectacle.AsLucretiussays\b:
Thuseverfromhimselfdotheachmanflee.
Butwhatdoeshegainifhedoesnotescapefromhimself?{Emerson+}Heever
followshimselfandweighsuponhimselfashisownmostburdensomecompanion.And
soweoughttounderstandthatwhatwestrugglewithisthefault,notoftheplaces,butof
ourselveswhenthereisneedofendurance,weareweak,andwecannotbeartoilor
pleasureorourselvesoranythingverylong.Itisthisthathasdrivensomementodeath,
becausebyoftenalteringtheirpurposetheywerealwaysbroughtbacktothesamethings
<Ess2221>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,ii.15iii.3
andhadleftthemselvesnoroomtoranythingnew.Theybegantobesickoflifeandthe
worlditself,andfromtheselfindulgencesthatwastedthemwasbornthethought:"How
longshallIendurethesamethings?"
Youaskwhathelp,inmyopinion,shouldbeemployedtoovercomethistedium.
Thebestcoursewouldbe,asAthenodorusasays,tooccupyoneselfwithpractical
matters,themanagementofpublicaffairs,andthedutiesofacitizen.Forassomemen
passthedayinseekingthesunandinexerciseandcareofthebody,andasathletesfind
itismostprofitablebyfartodevotethegreaterpartofthedaytothedevelopmentoftheir
musclesandthestrengthtowhichalonetheyhavededicatedthemselvessoforyou,who
aretrainingyourmindforthestruggleofpoliticallife,byfarthemostdesirablethingisto
bebusyatonetask.For,wheneveramanhasthesetpurposetomakehimselfusefulto
hiscountrymenandallmortals,hebothgetspracticeanddoesserviceatthesametime
whenhehasplacedhimselfintheverymidstofactiveduties,servingtothebestofhis
abilitytheinterestsbothofthepublic+andoftheindividual."Butbecause,"hecontinues,
"inthismadworldofambitionwherechicanerysofrequentlytwistsrightintowrong,
simplicity{simplicitas_PlainDealer+}ishardlysafe,andisalwayssuretomeetwithmore
thathindersthanhelpsit,weoughtindeedtowithdrawfromtheforumandpubliclife,but
agreatmindhasanopportunitytodisplayitselffreelyeveninprivatelifenor,justasthe
activityoflionsandanimalsisrestrainedbytheirdens,isitsoofman's,whosegreatest
achievementsarewroughtinretirement.Letaman,however,hidehimselfawaybearing
inmindthat,
<Ess2223>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,iii.36
whereverbesecreteshisleisure,heshouldbewillingtobenefittheindividualmanand
mankindbyhisintellect,hisvoice,andhiscounsel.Forthemanthatdoesgoodserviceto
thestateisnotmerelyhewhobringsforwardcandidatesanddefendstheaccusedand
votesforpeaceandwar,buthealsowhoadmonishesyoungmen,whoinstilsvirtueinto
theirminds,supplyingthegreatlackofgoodteachers,wholaysholduponthosethatare
rushingwildlyinpursuitofmoneyandluxury,anddrawsthemback,and,ifhe
accomplishesnothingelse,atleastretardsthemsuchamanperformsapublicservice
eveninprivatelife.Ordoesheaccomplishmorewhointheofficeofpraetor,\awhetherin
casesbetweencitizensandforeignersorincasesbetweencitizens,deliverstosuitors
theverdicthisassistanthasformulated,thanhewhoteachesthemeaningofjustice,of
piety,ofendurance,ofbravery,ofcontemptofdeath,ofknowledgeofthegods,andhow
secureandfreeistheblessingofagoodconscience?If,then,thetimethatyouhave
stolenfrompublicdutiesisbestoweduponstudies,youwillneitherhavedeserted,nor
refused,youroffice.Forasoldierisnotmerelyonewhostandsinlineanddefendsthe
rightortheleftwing,buthealsowhoguardsthegatesandfills,notanidle,butaless
dangerous,post,whokeepswatchatnightandhaschargeofthearmourytheseoffices,
thoughtheyarebloodless,yetcountasmilitaryservice.Ifyoudevoteyourselftostudies,
youwillhaveescapedallyourdisgustatlife,youwillnotlongfornighttocomebecause
youarewearyofthelight,norwillyoubeeitherburdensometoyourselforuselessto
othersyouwillattractmanytofriendshipandthosethatgatheraboutyou
<Ess2225>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,iii.6iv.2
willbethemostexcellent.Forvirtue,thoughobscured,isneverconcealed,butalways
givessignsofitspresencewhoeverisworthywilltraceheroutbyherfootsteps.Butif
wegiveupsocietyaltogetherand,turningourbackuponthehumanrace,livewithour
thoughtsfixedonlyuponourselves,thissolitudedeprivedofeveryinterestwillbefollowed
byawantofsomethingtobeaccomplished.Weshallbegintoputupsomebuildings,to
pulldownothers,tothrustbackthesea,tocausewaterstoflowdespitetheobstaclesof
nature,andshallmakeilldispositionofthetimewhichNaturehasgivenustobeused.
Someuseitsparingly,etherswastefullysomeofusspenditinsuchawaythat
weareabletogiveanaccountofit,othersinsuchawayandnothingcanbemore
shamefulthatwehavenobalanceleft.Oftenamanwhoisveryoldinyearshasno
evidencetoprovethathehaslivedalongtimeotherthanhisage."{liberal_studies+}
Tome,mydearestSerenus,Athenodorusseemstohavesurrenderedtooquickly
tothetimes,tohaveretreatedtooquickly.Imyselfwouldnotdenythatsometimesone
mustretire,butitshouldbeagradualretreatwithoutsurrenderingthestandards,without
surrenderingthehonour+ofasoldierthosearemorerespectedbytheirenemiesand
saferwhocometotermswiththeirarmsintheirhands.ThisiswhatIthinkVirtueand
Virtue'sdevoteeshoulddo.IfFortuneshallgettheupperhandandshallcutoffthe
opportunityforaction,letamannotstraightwayturnhisbackandflee,throwingawayhis
armsandseekingsomehidingplace,asiftherewereanywhereaplacewhereFortune
couldnotreachhim,butlethimdevotehimselftohisdutiesmoresparingly,and,after
<Ess2227>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,iv.36
makingchoice,lethimfindsomethinginwhichhemaybeusefultothestate.{service+}Is
henotpermittedtobeasoldier?Lethimseekpublicoffice.Mustheliveinaprivate
station?Lethimbeapleader.Ishecondemnedtosilence?Lethimhelphiscountrymen
byhissilentsupport.Isitdangerouseventoentertheforum?Inprivatehouses,atthe
publicspectacles,atfeastslethimshowhimselfagoodcomrade,afaithfulfriend,a
temperatefeaster.Hashelostthedutiesofacitizen?Lethimexercisethoseofaman.
Theveryreasonforourmagnanimityinnotshuttingourselvesupwithinthewallsofone
city,ingoingforthintointercoursewiththewholeearth,andinclaimingtheworldasour
country,wasthatwemighthaveawiderfieldforourvirtue.Isthetribunalclosedtoyou,
andareyoubarredfromtherostrumandthehustings?Lookhowmanybroadstretching
countrieslieopenbehindyou,howmanypeoplesnevercanyoubeblockedfromanypart
solargethatastilllargerwillnotbelefttoyou.Buttakecarethatthisisnotwhollyyour
ownfaultyouarenotwillingtoservethestateexceptasaconsulorprytanis\aorherald
orsufete.\bWhatifyoushouldbeunwillingtoserveinthearmyexceptasageneralora
tribune?Evenifothersshallholdthefrontlineandyourlothasplacedyouamongthose
ofthethirdline,fromtherewhereyouaredoservicewithyourvoice,encouragement,
example,andspiriteventhoughaman'shandsarecutoff,hefindsthathecando
somethingforhissideinbattleifhestandshisgroundandhelpswiththeshouting.Some
suchthingiswhatyoushoulddo.IfFortunehasremovedyoufromtheforemostposition
inthestate,youshould,nevertheless,standyourground
<Ess2229>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,iv.6v.1
andhelpwiththeshouting,andifsomeonestopsyourthroat,youshould,nevertheless,
standyourgroundandhelpinsilence.Theserviceofagoodcitizenisneveruselessby
beingheardandseen,byhisexpression,byhisgesture,byhissilentstubbornness,and
byhisverywalkhehelps.Astherearecertainsalutarythingsthatwithoutourtastingand
touchingthembenefitusbytheirmereodour,sovirtueshedsheradvantageevenfroma
distance,andinhiding.Whethershewalksabroadandofherownrightmakesherself
active,orhasherappearancesonsufferanceandisforcedtodrawinhersails,oris
inactiveandmuteandpentwithinnarrowbounds,orisopenlydisplayed,nomatterwhat
herconditionis,shealwaysdoesgood.
Why,then,doyouthinkthattheexampleofonewholivesinhonourableretirement
isoflittlevalue?Accordingly,thebestcoursebyfaristocombineleisurewithbusiness,
wheneverchanceobstaclesortheconditionofthestateshallpreventone'slivingareally
activelifeforamanisneversocompletelyshutofffromallpursuitsthatnoopportunityis
leftforanyhonourableactivity.Canyoufindanycitymorewretchedthanwasthatofthe
AthenianswhenitwasbeingtorntopiecesbytheThirtyTyrants?Theyhadslainthirteen
hundredcitizens,allthebestmen,andwerenotforthatreasonreadytostop,buttheir
verycrueltyfeditsownflame.InthecityinwhichtherewastheAreopagus,amost
godfearingcourt,inwhichtherewasasenateandapopularassemblythatwaslikea
senate,theregatheredtogethereverydayasorrycollegeofhangmen,andtheunhappy
senatehousewasmadetoonarrowbytyrants\a!Couldthatcityeverfindpeaceinwhich
therewereasmanytyrants
<Ess2231>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,v.15
astheremightbesatellites?Nohopeevenofrecoveringlibertycouldofferitself,nordid
thereseemtoberoomforanysortofhelpagainstsuchmightystrengthofwickedmen.
ForwherecouldthewretchedstatefindenoughHarmodiuses\a?YetSocrateswasin
theirmidstandcomfortedthemourningcityfathers,heencouragedthosethatwere
despairingofthestate,reproachedtherichmenthatwerenowdreadingtheirwealthwith
atoolaterepentanceoftheirperilousgreed,whiletothosewillingtoimitatehimhecarried
roundwithhimagreatexample,ashemovedafreemanamidthirtymasters.Yetthis
wasthemanthatAthensherselfmurderedinprison,andFreedomherselfcouldnot
endurethefreedomofonewhohadmockedinsecurityatawholebandoftyrants.And
soyoumaylearnboththatthewisemanhasopportunitytodisplayhispowerwhenthe
stateistornbytrouble,andthateffrontery,envy,andathousandothercowardlyvices
holdswaywhenitisprosperousandhappy.Thereforeweshalleitherexpandorcontract
oureffortaccordingasthestateshalllendherselftous,accordingasFortuneshallpermit
us,butinanycaseweshallkeepmoving,andshallnotbetieddownandnumbedbyfear.
Nay,hewillbetrulyamanwho,whenperilsarethreateningfromeveryside,whenarms
andchainsarerattlingaroundhim,willneitherendanger,norconceal,hisvirtuefor
savingoneselfdoesnotmeanburyingoneself.CuriusDentatussaid,trulyasIthink,that
hewouldratherbeadeadmanthanaliveonedead\bfortheworstofillsistoleavethe
numberofthelivingbeforeyoudie.Butifyoushouldhappenuponatimewhenitisnotat
alleasytoservethestate,
<Ess2233>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,v.5vi.4
yournecessarycoursewillbetoclaimmoretimeforleisureandforletters,and,justasif
youweremakingaperilousvoyage,toputintoharbourfromtimetotime,and,without
waitingforpublicaffairstoreleaseyou,toseparateyourselffromthemofyourown
accord.
Ourduty,however,willbe,first,toexamineourownselves,then,themattersthat
weshallundertake,andlastly,thoseforwhosesakeorinwhosecompanyweare
undertakingthem. Aboveallitisnecessaryforamantoestimatehimselftruly,
becausewecommonlythinkthatwecandomorethanweareable.Onemanblunders
byrelyinguponhiseloquence,anothermakesmoredemanduponhisfortunethanitcan
stand,anotherburdensaweaklybodywithlaborioustasks.Somemenbyreasonoftheir
modestyarequiteunsuitedtocivilaffairs,whichneedastrongfrontsomebyreasonof
theirstubbornpridearenotfittedforcourtsomedonothavetheirangerundercontrol,
andanysortofprovocationhurriesthemtorashwordssomedonotknowhowtorestrain
theirpleasantryandcannotabstainfromdangerouswit.Foralltheseretirementismore
serviceablethanemploymentahcadstrongandimpatientnatureshouldavoidall
incitementstoafreedomofspeechthatwillproveharmful.
Next,wemustestimatethemattersthemselvesthatweareundertaking,and
mustcompareourstrengthwiththethingsthatweareabouttoattemptforthedoermust
alwaysbestrongerthanhistaskburdensthataretooheavyfortheirbearermust
necessarilycrushhim.Therearecertainundertakings,moreover,thatarenotsomuch
greatastheyareprolific,andthusleadtomanyfreshunder
<Ess2235>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,vi.4vii.3
takings.Notonlyoughtyoutoavoidthosethatgivebirthtonewandmultifarious
employment,butyououghtnottoapproachataskfromwhichyouarenotfreetoretreat
youmustputyourhandtothosethatyoucaneitherfinish,oratleasthopetofinish,
leavingthoseuntouchedthatgrowbiggerasyouprogressanddonotceaseatthepoint
youintended.
Andwemustbeparticularlycarefulinourchoiceofmen,andconsiderwhether
theyareworthyofhavingusdevotesomepartofourlifetothem,orwhetherthesacrifice
ofourtimeextendstotheirsalsoforcertainpeopleactuallychargeagainstusathe
serviceswedothem.Athenodorussaysthathewouldnotgotodinewithamanwho
wouldnotfeelindebtedtohimfordoingso.Youunderstand,Isuppose,thatmuchless
wouldhegotodinnerwiththosewhorecompensetheservicesoffriendsbytheirtable,
whogetdownthecoursesofamealaslargesses,asiftheywerebeingintemperatetodo
honourtoothers.Takeawaythespectatorsandwitnesses,andsolitarygluttonywillgive
themnopleasure.sptconsiderwhetheryournatureisbetteradaptedtoactiveaffairsor
toleisurelystudyandcontemplation,andyoumustturntowardsthatcoursetowhichthe
bentofyourgeniusshalldirectyou.IsocrateslaidhandsuponEphorus\bandledhim
awayfromtheforum,thinkingthathewouldbemoreusefulincompilingtherecordsof
historyforinborntendenciesanswerilltocompulsion,andwhereNatureopposeslabour
isinvain.\c
Nothing,however,givesthemindsomuchpleasureasfondandfaithful
friendship+.Whatablessingitistohavethosetowhosewaitingheartseverysecretmay
becommittedwithsafety,whoseknowledgeofyou
<Ess2237>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,vii.36
youfearlessthanyourknowledgeofyourself,whoseconversationsoothesyouranxiety,
whoseopinionassistsyourdecision,whosecheerfulnessscattersyoursorrow,thevery
sightofwhomgivesyoujoy!Weshallofcoursechoosethosewhoarefree,asfaras
maybe,fromselfishdesiresforvicesspreadunnoticed,andquicklypasstothose
nearestanddoharmbytheircontact.Andso,justasintimesofpestilencewemusttake
carenottositnearthosewhosebodiesarealreadyinfectedandinflamedwithdisease,
becauseweshallincurrisksandbeindangerfromtheirverybreath,so,inchoosingour
friends,weshallhaveregardfortheircharacter,sothatwemayappropriatethosewho
aremarkedwithfeweststainstocombinethesickwiththesoundistospreaddisease.
YetIwouldnotlaydowntherulethatyouaretofollow,orattachtoyourself,nonebuta
wiseman.Forwherewillyoufindhimwhomwehavebeenseekingforsomany
centuries?Inplaceofthebestmantaketheoneleastbad!Opportunityforahappier
choicescarcelycouldyouhave,wereyousearchingforagoodmanamongthePlatos
andtheXenophonsandtherestofthatgloriouscompanyoftheSocraticbreed,or,too,if
youhadatyourcommandtheageofCato,whichboremanymenwhowereworthytobe
borninCato'stime,justasitalsoboremanythatwereworsethanhadeverbeenknown,
andcontriversofthemostmonstrouscrimesforbothclasseswerenecessaryinorder
thatCatomightbeunderstoodheneededtohavegoodmenthathemightwintheir
approval,andbadmenthatbemightprovehisstrength.Butnow,whenthereissucha
greatdearthofgoodmen,youmustbelesssqueamishinmakingyourchoice.Yetthose
are
<Ess2239>
ONTRANQUILLITYOF,MIND,vii.6viii.4
especiallytobeavoidedwhoaremelancholyandbewaileverything,whofindpleasurein
everyopportunityforcomplaint.
Thoughaman'sloyaltyandfriendlinessbeassured,yetthecompanionwhois
alwaysupsetandbemoanseverythingisafoetotranquillity.
Letuspassnowtothematteroffortunes,whicharethegreatestsourceofhuman
sorrowforifyoucomparealltheotherillsfromwhichwesufferdeaths,sicknesses,
fears,longings,theenduranceofpainsandlabourswiththeevilswhichourmoney
brings,thisportionwillfaroutweightheother.Andsowemustreflecthowmuchlighteris
thesorrowofnothavingmoneythanoflosingitandweshallunderstandthat,theless
povertyhastolose,thelesschanceithastotormentus.Foryouarewrongifyouthink
thattherichsufferlossesmorecheerfullythepainofawoundisthesameinthelargest
andsmallestbodies.Bionsaysneatlythatithurts,thebaldheadjustasmuchasthe
thatchedheadtohavehishairsplucked.Youmaybesurethatthesamethingholdsfor
thepoorandtherich,thattheirsufferingisjustthesamefortheirmoneyhasafastgrip
onboth,andcannotbetornawaywithouttheirfeelingit.But,asIhavesaid,itismore
endurableandeasiernottoacquireitthantoloseit,andthereforeyouwillseethatthose
whomFortunehasneverregardedaremorecheerfulthanthosewhomshehasforsaken.
Diogenes,thathighsouledman,sawthis,andmadeitimpossibleforanythingtobe
snatchedfromhim.Doyoucallsuchastatepoverty,want,need,givethissecurityany
disgracefulnameyouplease.Ishallnotcountthemanhappy,ifyoucanfindanyoneelse
whohasnothingtolose!EitherIam
<Ess2241>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,viii.48
deceived,oritisaregalthingtobetheonlyoneamidallthemisers,thesharpers,the
robbers,andplundererswhocannotbeharmed.Ifanyonehasanydoubtaboutthe
happinessofDiogenes,hemaylikewisehavedoubtabouttheconditionoftheimmortal
godsiswellwhethertheyarelivingquiteunhappilybecausetheyhaveneithermanors
norgardensnorcostlyestatesfarmedbyaforeigntenant,\anorahugeyieldofinterestin
theforum.Allyewhobowdowntoriches,whereisyourshame?Come,turnyoureyes
uponheavenyouwillseethegodsquiteneedy,givingallandhavingnothing.Doyou
thinkthathewhostrippedhimselfofallthegildsofFortuneisapoormanorsimplylike
theimmortalgods?WouldyousaythatDemetrius,thefreedmanofPompeiiwhowas
notashamedtobericherthanPompey,wasahappierman?He,towhomtwounderlings
andaroomiercellwouldoncehavebeenwealth,usedtohavethenumberofhisslaves
reportedtohimeverydayasifhewerethegeneralofanarmy!Buttheonlyslave
Diogeneshadranawayfromhimonce,and,whenhewaspointedouttohim,hedidnot
thinkitworthwhiletofetchhimback."Itwouldbeashame,"hesaid,"ifDiogenesisnot
abletolivewithoutManes,whenManesisabletolivewithoutDiogenes."Butheseemsto
metohavecried:"Fortune,mindyourownbusinessDiogeneshasnownothingofyours.
Myslavehasrunawaynay,itisIthathavegotawayfree!"Ahouseholdofslaves
requiresclothesandfoodsoanybelliesofcreaturesthatarealwayshungryhavetobe
filled,wehavetobuyclothingforthem,andwatchtheirmostthievishhands,andusethe
servicesofpeopleweepingandcursing.Howmuch
<Ess2243>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,viii.8ix.3
happierishewhoseonlyobligationistoonewhomhecanmosteasilyrefusehimself!
Since,however,wedonothavesuchstrengthofcharacter,weoughtatleasttoreduce
ourpossessions,soastobelessexposedtotheinjuriesofFortune.
Inwarthosemenarebetterfittedforservicewhosebodiescanbesqueezedinto
theirarmourthanthosewhosebodiesspillover,andwhoseverybulkeverywhere
exposesthemtowounds.Inthecaseofmoney+,anamountthatdoesnotdescendto
poverty,andyetisnotforremovedfrompoverty,isthemostdesirable.
Moreover,weshallbecontentwiththismeasureifwewerepreviouslycontentwith
thrift,withoutwhichnoamountofwealthissufficient,andnoamountisnotsufficiently
ample,especiallysincetheremedyisalwaysnearathand,andpovertyofitselfisableto
turnitselfintorichesbysummoningeconomy.Letusformthehabitofputtingawayfrom
usmerepompandofmeasuringtheusesofthings,nottheirdecorativequalities.Let
foodsubduehunger,drinkquenchthirstletlustfollowthecourseofnatureletuslearnto
relyuponourlimbsandtoconformourdressandmodeoflife,nottothenewfashions,
buttothecustomsourancestorsapprovedletuslearntoincreaseourselfcontrol,to
restrainluxury,tomoderateambition,tosoftenanger,toviewpovertywithunprejudiced
eyes,tocultivatefrugality,evenifmanyshallbeashamed,allthemoretoapplytothe
wantsofnaturetheremediesthatcostlittle,tokeepunrulyhopesandamindthatisintent
uponthefuture,asitwere,inchains,andtodeterminetoseekourrichesfromourselves
ratherthanfromFortune.Itisneverpossiblethatallthediversityandinjusticeof
mischancecanbesorepulsed,thatmanystorms
<Ess2245>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,ix.35
willnotsweepdownuponthosewhoarespreadinggreatsail.Wemustdrawinour
activitiestoanarrowcompassinorderthatthedartsofFortunemayfallintonothingness,
andforthisreasonexilesanddisastershaveturnedouttobebenefits,andmoreserious
illshavebeenhealedbythosethatarelighter.Whenthemindisdisobedienttoprecepts
andcannotberestoredbygentlermeans,whyshoulditnotbeforitsowngoodtohave
poverty,disgrace,andaviolentoverthrowoffortuneappliedtoittomatchevilwithevil?
Letusthengetaccustomedtobeingabletodinewithoutthemultitude,tobeingtheslave
offewerslaves,togettingclothesforthepurposeforwhichtheyweredevised,andto
livinginnarrowerquarters.NotonlyintheraceandthecontestsoftheCircus,butalsoin
thearenaoflife\awemustkeeptotheinnercircle.{PlainDealer+}
Evenforstudies+,whereexpenditureismosthonourable,itisjustifiableonlyso
longasitiskeptwithinbounds.Whatistheuseofhavingcountlessbooksandlibraries,
whosetitlestheirownerscanscarcelyreadthroughinawholelifetime?Thelearneris,
notinstructed,butburdenedbythemassofthem,anditismuchbettertosurrender
yourselftoafewauthorsthantowanderthroughmany.Fortythousandbookswere
burned\batAlexandrialetsomeoneelsepraisethislibraryasthemostnoblemonument
tothewealthofkings,asdidTitusLivius,whosays\cthatitwasthemostdistinguished
achievementofthegoodtasteandsolicitudeofkings.Therewasno"goodtaste"or
"solicitude"aboutit,butonlylearnedluxurynay,noteven"learned,"sincetheyhad
collectedthebooks,notforthesakeoflearning,cLivy'snarrativeoftheevent(Bk.
cxii.)hasbeenlost.
<Ess2247>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,ix.5x.1
buttomakeashow,justasmanywholackevenachild'sknowledgeoflettersusebooks,
notasthetoolsoflearning,butasdecorationsforthediningroom.Therefore,letjustas
manybooksbeacquiredasareenough,butnotformereshow."Itismorerespectable,"
yousay,"tosquandermoneyonthesethanonCorinthianbronzesandonpictures."But
excessinanythingbecomesafault.Whatexcusehaveyoutoofferforamanwhoseeks
tohavebookcasesofcitruswoodandivory,whocollectstheworksofunknownor
disereditedauthorsandsitsyawninginthemidstofsomanythousandbooks,whogets
mostofhispleasurefromtheoutsidesofvolumesandtheirtitles?Consequentlyitisin
thehousesofthelaziestmenthatyouwillseeafullcollectionoforationsandhistorywith
theboxespiledrightuptotheceilingforbynowamongcoldbathsandhotbathsalibrary
alsoisequippedasanecessaryornamentofagreathouse.Iwouldreadilypardonthese
meniftheywereledastraybytheirexcessivezealforlearning.Butasitis,these
collectionsoftheworksofsacredgeniuswithalltheportraitsthatadornthemarebought
forshowandadecorationoftheirwalls.
Butitmaybethatyouhavefallenuponsomephaseoflifewhichisdifficult,and
that,beforeyouareaware,yourpublicoryourprivatefortunehasyoufastenedinanoose
whichyoucanneitherburstnoruntie.Butreflectthatitisonlyatfirstthatprisonersare
worriedbytheburdensandshacklesupontheirlegslater,whentheyhavedetermined
nottochafeagainstthem,buttoendurethem,necessityteachesthemtobearthem
bravely,habittobearthemeasily.Inanysortoflifeyouwillfindthatthereare
amusementsandrelaxationsandpleasures,ifyouare
<Ess2249>

ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,x.15
willingtoconsideryourevilslightlyratherthantomakethemhateful.Onnoscorehas
Naturemoredeservedourthanks,who,sincesheknewtowhatsorrowswewereborn,
inventedhabitasanalleviationfordisasters,andthusquicklyaccustomsustothemost
seriousills.Noonecouldendureadversityif,whileitcontinued,itkeptthesameviolence
thatitsfirstblowshad.AllofusarechainedtoFortune.Someareboundbyalooseand
goldenchain,othersbyatightchainofbasermetalbutwhatdifferencedoesitmake?
Thesamecaptivityholdsallmeninitstoils,thosewhohaveboundothershavealsobeen
boundunlessperhapsyouthinkthatachainonthelefthand\aisalighterone.Some
arechainedbypublicoffice,othersbywealthsomecarrytheburdenofhighbirth,some
oflowbirthsomebowbeneathanother'sempire,somebeneaththeirownsomearekept
inoneplacebyexile,othersbypriesthoods.Alllifeisaservitude+.Andsoamanmust
becomereconciledtohislot,mustcomplainofitaslittleaspossible,andmustlayholdof
whatevergooditmayhavenostateissobitterthatacalmmindcannotfindinitsome
consolation.Evensmallspacesbyskilfulplanningoftenrevealmanyusesand
arrangementwillmakehabitableaplaceofeversosmalldimensions.Applyreasonto
difficultiesitispossibletosoftenwhatishard,towidenwhatisnarrow,andburdenswill
presslessheavilyuponthosewhobearthemskilfully.
Moreover,wemustnotsendourdesiresuponadistantquest,butweshould
permitthemtohaveaccesstowhatisnear,sincetheydonotendureto
<Ess2251>

ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,x.5xi.1
beshutupaltogether.Leavingthosethingsthateithercannotbedone,orcanbedone
onlywithdifficulty,letuspursuewhatliesnearathandandalluresourhope,butletusbe
awarethattheyallareequallytrivial,diverseoutwardlyinappearance,withinalikevain.
Andletusnotenvythosewhostandinhigherplaceswherethereappearedheights,there
areprecipices.Those,ontheotherhand,whomanunkindlothasplacedinacritical
position,willbesaferbyreducingtheirprideinthethingsthatareinthemselvesproudand
loweringtheirfortune,sofarastheyshallbeable,tothecommonlevel.Whilethereare
manywhomustnecessarilyclingtotheirpinnacle,fromwhichtheycannotdescend
withoutfalling,yettheymaybearwitnessthattheirgreatestburdenistheveryfactthat
theyareforcedtobeburdensometoothers,beingnotlifted,butnailedonhigh.Byjustice,
bykindness,bycourtesy+{mansuetudine},andbylavishandkindlygiving+letthem
preparemanysafeguardsagainstlatermishaps,inhopewhereoftheymaybemoreeasy
intheirsuspense.Yetnothingcanfreeusfromthesementalwaveringssoeffectivelyas
alwaystoestablighsomelimittoadvancementandnotleavetoFortunethedecisionof
whenitshallend,buthaltofourownaccordfarshortofthelimitthattheexamplesof
othersurge.Inthiswaytherewillbesomedesirestoprickonthemind,andyet,because
boundshavebeensettothem,theywillnotleadittothatwhichisunlimitedanduncertain.
Theseremarksofmineapply,nottothewiseman,buttothosewhoarenotyet
perfect,tothemediocre,andtotheunsound.Thewisemandoesnotneedtowalktimidly
andcautiouslyforsogreatishisconfidenceinhimselfthathedoesnothesitateto
<Ess2253>
ONTRANQILLITYOFMIND,xi.14
goagainstFortune,andwillneverretreatbeforeher.Norhasheanyreasontofearher,
forhecountsnotmerelyhischattelsandhispossessionsandhisposition,butevenhis
bodyandhiseyesandhishandandallelsethatmakeslifeverydeartoaman,nay,even
himself,amongthethingsthataregivenonsufferance,andhelivesasonewhohasbeen
lenttohimselfandwillreturneverythingwithoutsorrowwhenitis
reclaimed.{hand_of_heaven+}Norishethereforecheapinhisowneyes,becausebe
knowsthathedoesnotbelongtohimself,buthewillperformallhisdutiesasdiligently
andascircumspectlyasadevoutandholymaniswonttoguardthepropertyentrustedto
hisprotection.When,however,heisbiddentogivethemup,hewillnotquarrelwith
Fortune,butwillsay:"IgivethanksforwhatIhavepossessedandheld.Ihavemanaged
yourpropertytogreatadvantage,but,sinceyouorderme,Igiveitup,Isurrenderit
gratefullyandgladly.Ifyoustillwishmetohaveanythingofyours,Ishallguarditifyour
pleasureisotherwise,Igivebackandrestoretoyoumysilverbothwroughtandcoined,
myhouse,andmyhousehold."ShouldNaturerecallwhatshepreviouslyentrustedus
with,weshallsaytoheralso:"Takebackthespiritthatisbetterthanwhenyougaveit.I
donotquibbleorhangbackofmyownfreewillIamreadyforyoutotakewhatyougave
mebeforeIwasconsciousawaywithit!"Whathardshipisthereinreturningtotheplace
fromwhichyoucame?Thatmanwillliveillwhowillnotknowhowtodiewell.Therefore
wemusttakefromthevaluewesetuponthisthing,andthebreathoflifemustbecounted
asacheapmatter.AsCicerosays\awefeelhostilitytogladiatorsiftheyareeagerto
savetheirlifenomatterhowifthey
<Ess2255>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,xi.47
displaycontemptforit,wefavourthem.Thesamething,youmayknow,appliestousfor
oftenthecauseofdeathisthefearofdying.MistressFortune,whousesusforher
sport+,{flies}says:"WhyshouldIsaveyou,youbaseandcowardlycreature?Youwillbe
hackedandpiercedwithallthemorewounds,becauseyoudonotknowhowtoofferyour
throat.Butyou,whoreceivethesteelcourageouslyanddonotwithdrawyourneckorput
outyourhandstostopit,shallbothlivelongeranddiemoreeasily."Hewhofearsdeath
willneverdoanythingworthyofamanwhoisalive,butbewhoknowsthatthesewerethe
termsdrawnupforhimatthemomentofhisconceptionwillliveaccordingtothebond,
andatthesametimewillalsowithlikestrengthofmindguaranteethatnoneofthethings
thathappenshallbeunexpected.Forbylookingforwardtowhatevercanhappenas
thoughitwouldhappen,{Murphy+}hewillsoftentheattacksofallills,whichbringnothing
strangetothosewhohavebeenpreparedbeforehandandareexpectingthemitisthe
unconcernedandthosethatexpectnothingbutgoodfortuneuponwhomtheyfallheavily.
Sicknesscomes,captivity,disaster,conflagration,butnoneofthemisunexpectedI
alwaysknewinwhatdisorderlycompanyNaturehadconfinedme.Manytimeshas
wailingforthedeadbeenheardinmyneighbourhoodmanytimeshavethetorchandthe
taperleduntimelyfuneralspastmythresholdoftenhasthecrashofafallingbuilding
resoundedatmysidemanyofthosewhomtheforum,thesenatehouseand
conversationhadboundtomeanighthascarriedoff,andthehandsthatwerejoinedin
friendshiphavebeensunderedbythegrave.ShouldIbesurprisedifthe
<Ess2257>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,xi.710
dangersthatalwayshavewanderedaboutmeshouldatsometimereachme?The
numberofmenthatwillplanavoyagewithoutthinkingofstormsisverygreat.Ishall
neverbeashamedtoquoteabadauthorifwhathesaysisgood.Publilius,who,
wheneverheabandonedtheabsurditiesoffarceandlanguagedirectedtothegallery,had
morevigourthanthewritersofcomedyandtragedy,amongmanyotherutterancesmore
strikingthananythatcamefromthebuskinedtosaynothingofthecomiccurtain's
stage,hasalsothis:
Whatevercanonemanbefallcanhappenjustaswelltoall.\a
Ifamanletsthissinkdeepintohisheart,and,whenhelooksupontheevilsofothers,of
whichthereisahugesupplyeveryday,remembersthattheyarefreetocometohim
also,hewillarmhimselfagainstthemlongbeforetheyattackhim.Itistoolatetoequip
thesoultoenduredangersafterthedangershavearisen.Yousay:"Ididnotthinkthis
wouldhappen,"and"Wouldyouhavebelievedthatthiswouldhappen?"Butwhynot?
Wherearetherichesthatdonothavepovertyandhungerandbeggaryfollowingclose
behind?Whatrankistherewhoseborderedrobeandaugur'swandandpatricianboot
laces\bdonotcarryintheirtrainragsandbrandeddisgraceathousandstigmasand
utterdisrepute?Whatkingdomisthereforwhichruinandatramplingunderfootandthe
tyrantandthehangmanarenotinstore?Noraresuchthingscutoffbylongintervals,but
betweenthethroneandbendingatanother'skneesthereisbutanhour'sspace.Know,
then,thateverylotinlifeischangeable,andthatwhateverbefalls,anymancanbefallyou
also.Youarerich:butareyouany
<Ess2259>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,xi.1012
richerthanpompey\a?YethelackedevenbreadandwaterwhenGaius,anold
kinsman\bbutanewsortofhost,hadopenedtohimthehouseofCaesarinorderthathe
mighthaveachancetoclosehisown!Thoughheownedsomanyriversthathadtheir
sourcewithinhisownlandsandtheirmouthwithinhisownlands,hehadtobegfordrops
ofwater.Inthepalaceofhiskinsmanheperishedfromhungerandthirst,and,whilehe
wasstarving,hisheirwasarrangingtogivehimastatefuneral!Youhaveheldthe
highestofficesbuthaveyouheldanyasgreat,asunlookedfor,ascomprehensiveas
thoseofSejanus?Yetonthedayonwhichthesenateplayedtheescort\cthepeopletore
himtopieces!Ofthemanwhohadhadheapeduponhimallthatgodsandmenwere
abletobestownothingwasleftfortheexecutionertodragtotheriver!Youareaking:it
willnotbeCroesustowhomIshalldirectyou,wholivedtoseehisownpyrebothlighted
andextinguished,\dwhowasforcedtosurvive,nothiskingdomonly,butevenhisown
death,norJugurtha,whomtheRomanpeoplegazeduponasacaptiveinlessthanayear
afterhehadmadethemafraid.WeourselveshaveseenPtolemy,kingofAfrica,and
Mithridates,kingofArmenia,underthechargeofGaius'sguardstheonewassentinto
exile,theotherwasanxioustobesentthereinbetterfaith!\eInviewofthisgreatmutability
offortune,that
<Ess2261>

ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,xi.12xii.4
movesnowupward,nowdownward,unlessyouconsiderthatwhatevercanhappenis
likelytohappentoyou,yousurrenderyourselfintothepowerofadversity,whichanyman
cancrushifheseesherfirst.
Ournextconcernwillbenottolaboureitherforuselessendsoruselessly,thatis,
nottodesireeitherwhatwearenotabletoaccomplish,orwhat,ifattained,willcauseus
tounderstandtoolateandaftermuchshametheemptinessofourdesires.Inother
words,neithershouldourlabourbeinvainandwithoutresult,northeresultunworthyof
ourlabourforasarulesadnessattendsuponit,iftherehasbeeneitherlackofsuccess
orshameforsuccess.Wemustcurtailtherestlessnessthatagreatmanymenshowin
wanderingthroughhousesandtheatresandforumstheythrustthemselvesintothe
affairsofothers,andalwaysappeartobebusilyengaged.Ifyouaskoneoftheseashe
comesoutofthehouse:"Whereareyougoing?Whathaveyouinmind?"hewillreplyto
you:"Uponmyword,IreallydonotknowbutIshallseesomepeople,Ishalldo
something."Theywanderwithoutanyplanlookingforemployment,andtheydo,notwhat
theyhavedeterminedtodo,butwhatevertheyhavestumbledupon.Theircourseisis
aimlessandidleasthatofantscrawlingamongbushes,whichidlybustletothetopofa
twigandthentothebottommanymenareliketheseintheirwayoflife,whichonemay
notunjustlycall"busyidleness."Whenyouseesomeofthemrunningasiftheywere
goingtoafire,youwillbesorryforthemsooftendotheycollidewiththosetheymeetand
sendthemselvesandotherssprawling,thoughallthewhiletheyhavebeenrushingtopay
acalltosomeonewhowillnotreturnit,ortoattend
<Ess2263>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,xii.4xiii.1
thefuneralofamantheydonotknow,orthetrialofsomeonewhoisalwayshavingasuit,
orthebetrothalofsomewomanwhoisalwaysgettingmarried,and,havingattached
themselvestosomelitter,haveinsomeplacesevencarriedit.Afterwards,whentheyare
returninghomeweariedtonopurpose,theyswearthattheythemselvesdonotknowwhy
theylefthome,orwheretheyhavebeen,and,onthenextdaytheywillwanderoverthe
selfsametrack.Andsoletallyoureffortbedirectedtowardsomeobject,letitkeepsome
objectinview!Itisnotactivitythatmakesmenrestless,butfalseconceptionsofthings
renderthemmad.Forevenmadmendonotbecomeagitatedwithoutsomehopethey
areexcitedbythemereappearanceofsomeobject,thefalsityofwhichisnotapparentto
theirafflictedmind.Inthesamewayeveryoneofthose.whogoforthtoswellthethrong
isledaroundthecitybyworthlessandtrivialreasonsdawndrivesamanforththoughhe
hasnotasktodo,and,afterhehasbeencrushedinmanymen'sdoorways,allinvain,
andhassalutedtheirnomenclatorsoneafteranother,andhasbeenshutoutbymany,he
findsthat,ofthemall,notoneismoredifficulttocatchathomethanhimself.Fromthis
evilisderivedthatmostdisgustingviceofeavesdroppingandpryingintopublicandsecret
mattersandlearningofmanythingsthatitisneithersafetotellnorsafetolistento.
IfancythatDemocritus\awasthinkingofthiswhenhebegan:"Ifamanshallwish
tolivetranquilly,lethimnotengageinmanyaffairseitherpublicorprivate,"referringof
coursetouselessaffairs.Forifnecessitydemands,wemustengageinmany,even
countless,affairsbothpublicandprivatebutwhen
<Ess2265>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,xiii.1xiv.2
thereisnocallfromsacredduty,wemustrestrainotheractivities.Forifamanengages
inmanyaffairs,heoftenputshimselfinthepowerofFortune,whilehissafestcourseis
rarelytotempther,alwaystobemindfulofher,andnevertoputanytrustinherpromises.
Say,"Iwillsetsailunlesssomethinghappens,"and"Ishallbecomepraetorunless
somethinghindersme,"and"Myenterprisewillbesuccessfulunlesssomething
interferes."Thisiswhywesaythatnothinghappenstoawisemancontrarytohis
expectationswereleasehim,notfromtheaccidents,butfromtheblundersofmankind,
nordoallthingsturnoutashehaswished,butashehasthoughtbuthisfirstthoughthas
beenthatsomethingmightobstructhisplans.Then,too,thesufferingthatcomestothe
mindfromtheabandonmentofdesiremustnecessarilybemuchlighterifyouhavenot
certainlypromiseditsuccess.Weoughtalsotomakeourselvesadaptablelestwe
becometoofondoftheplanswehaveformed,andweshouldpassreadilytothe
conditiontowhichchancehasledus,andnotdreadshiftingeitherpurposeorpositions
providedthatfickleness,avicemosthostiletorepose,doesnotgetholdofus.For
obstinacy,fromwhichFortuneoftenwrestssomeconcession,mustneedsbeanxious
andunhappy,andmuchmoregrievousmustbeaficklenessthatnowhereshows
selfrestraint.Botharefoestotranquillityboththeinabilitytochangeandtheinabilityto
endure.Mostofall,themindmustbewithdrawnfromexternalinterestsintoitself.Letit
haveconfidenceinitself,rejoiceinitself,letitadmireitsownthings,letitretireasfaras
possiblefromthethingsofothersanddevoteitselftoitself,letitnotfeellosses,letit
<Ess2267>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMTND,xiv.26
interpretkindlyevenadversities.Zeno,ourmaster,whenhereceivednewsofa
shipwreckandheardthatallhispropertyhadbeensunk,said:"Fortunebidsmetofollow
philosophywithfewerencumbrances."Atyrantwasthreateningthephilosopher
Theodoruswithdeathandevenwithlackofburial:"Youhavetheright,"hereplied,"to
pleaseyourself,youhavewithinyourpoweronlyahalfpintofmybloodforastoburial,
youareafoolifyouthinkitmakesanydifferencetomewhetherIrotabovegroundor
beneathit."JuliusCanus,ararelygreatman,whomeventhefactthathewasborninour
ownagedoesnotpreventouradmiring,hadhadalongdisputewithGaius,\aandwhen,
ashewasleaving,Phalarissaidtohim:"Thatyoumaynotbyanychancecomfort
yourselfwithafoolishhope,Ihaveorderedyoutobeexecuted,"hereplied:"Most
excellentprince,Itendervoumythanks."Iamnotsurewhathemeant,formany
explanationsoccurtome.Didhewishtobeinsultingandshowhimhowgreathiscruelty
mustbeifitmadedeathakindness?Orwashetauntinghimwiththeeverydayproofsof
insanity?forthosewhosechildrenhadbeenmurderedandwhosepropertyhadbeen
confiscatedusedtothankhimorwasitthatheaccepteddeathasahappyescape?
Howeveritmaybe,itwasahighsouledreply.Butsomeonewillsay:"Therewasa
possibilitythatafterthisGaiusmightorderhimtolive."Canushadnofearofthatitwas
wellknownthatinordersofthissortGaiuswasamanofhisword!Willyoubelievethat
Canusspenttheteninterveningdaysbeforehisexecutioninnoanxietyofanysort?What
themansaid,whathedid,howtranquilhewas,passesallcredence.
<Ess2269>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,xiv.710
Hewasplayingchesswhenthecenturionwhowasdraggingoffawholecompanyof
victimstodeathorderedthathealsobesummoned.Havingbeencalled,hecountedthe
pawnsandsaidtohispartner:"Seethataftermydeathyoudonotclaimfalselythatyou
won"thennoddingtothecenturion,hesaid:"YouwillbearwitnessthatIamonepawn
ahead."DoyouthinkthatatthatboardCanuswasplayingagame?Nay,hewasmaking
game!Hisfriendsweresadatthethoughtoflosingsuchamanbut"Why,"saidhe,"are
yousorrowful?YouarewonderingwhetheroursoulsareimmortalbutIshallsoon
know."Noruptotheveryenddidheceasetosearchfortruthandtomakehisowndeath
asubjectfordebate.Hisownteacherofphilosophywasaccompanyinghim,and,when
theywerenotfarfromthelowhillonwhichthedailysacrificetoCaesar,ourgod,was
made,said:"Whatareyouthinkingofnow,Canus,orwhatstateofmindareyouin?"And
Canussaid:"Ihavedeterminedtowatchwhetherthespiritwillbeconsciousthatitis
leavingthebodywhenthatfleetestofmomentscomes,"andhepromisedthat,ifhe
discoveredanything,hewouldmaketheroundofhisfriends,andrevealtothemwhatthe
stateofthesoulreallyis.{Sidney+}Hereistranquillityintheverymidstofthestorm,here
isamindworthyofimmortalityaspiritthatsummonsitsownfatetotheproofoftruth,
that,intheveryactoftakingthatonelaststep,questionsthedepartingsoul,andlearns,
notmerelyuptothepointofdeath,butseekstolearnsomethingevenfromdeathitself.
Noonehaseverplayedthephilosopherlonger.Nothastilyshallsogreatamanbe
abandoned,andhemustbespokenofwith
<Ess2271>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,xiv.10xv.3
respect.Omostglorioussoul,chiefvictimofthemurdersofGaius,tothememoryofall
timewillIconsignthee!
Butitdoesnogoodtohavegotridofthecausesofindividualsorrowforoneis
sometimesseizedbyhatredofthewholehumanrace.{Timon+}Whenyoureflecthow
rareissimplicity+,howunknownisinnocence,andhowgoodfaith{trust+}scarcely
exists,exceptwhenitisprofitable,andwhenyouthinkofallthethrongofsuccessful
crimesandofthegainsandlossesoflust,bothequallyhateful,andofambitionthat,so
farfromrestrainingitselfwithinitsownbounds,nowgetsgloryfrombasenesswhenwe
rememberthesethings,themindisplungedintonight,andasthoughthevirtues,whichit
isnowneitherpossibletoexpectnorprofitabletopossess,hadbeenoverthrown,there
comesoverwhelminggloom.Weought,therefore,tobringourselvestobelievethatall
thevicesofthecrowdare,nothateful,butridiculous,andtoimitateDemocritusrather
thanHeraclitus.Forthelatter,wheneverhewentforthintopublic,usedtoweep,the
formertolaughtotheoneallhumandoingsseemedtobemiseries,totheotherfollies.
Andsoweoughttoadoptalighterviewofthings,andputupwiththeminanindulgent
spirititismorehuman\atolaughatlifethantolamentoverit.{cheer+}Add,too,thathe
deservesbetterofthehumanracealsowholaughsatitthanhewhobemoansitforthe
oneallowsitsomemeasureofgoodhope,whiletheotherfoolishlyweepsoverthingsthat
hedespairsofseeingcorrected.
And,consideringeverything,heshowsagreatermindwhodoesnotrestrainhis
laughterthanhewhodoesnotrestrainhistears,sincethelaughergivesexpressiontothe
mildestoftheemotions,and
<Ess2273>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,xv.3xvi.1
deemsthatthereisnothingimportant,nothingserious,norwretchedeither,inthewhole
outfitoflife.Letamansetbeforehimselfthecauses,onebyone,thatgiverisetojoyand
sadness,andhewilllearnthatwhatBionsaidistrue,thatallthedoingsofmenarejust
liketheirbeginnings,andthattheirlifeisnomorerespectableorseriousthantheir
conception,thatbornfromnothingnesstheygobacktonothingness.Yetitisbetterto
acceptcalmlythewaysofthepublicandthevicesofman,andbethrownneitherinto
laughternorintotearsforitisunendingmiserytobeworriedbythemisfortunesofothers,
andunhumanpleasuretotakedelightinthemisfortunesofethers,justasitisauseless
showofhumanitytoweepandpullalongfacebecausesomeoneisburyingason.Inthe
matterofone'sownmisfortunes,too,therightwaytoactistobestowonthemthe
measureofsorrowthatNature,notcustom,demandsformanyshedtearsinorderto
makeashowofthem,and,wheneveraspectatorislacking,theireyesaredry,though
theyjudgeitdisgracefulnottoweepwheneveryoneisdoingit.Thisevilofdependingon
theopinionofothershasbecomesodeeplyimplantedthatevengrief,themostnatural
thingintheworld,becomesnowamatterofpretence.{sentimentality+}
Icomenowtoaclassofcaseswhichiswontwithgoodcausetosaddenand
bringusconcern.Whengoodmencometobadends,whenSocratesisforcedtodiein
prison,Rutiliustoliveinexile,PompeyandCicerotooffertheirneckstotheirownclients,
andgreatCato,thelivingimageofallthevirtues,byfallinguponhisswordtoshowthat
theendhadcomeforhimselfandforthestateatthesametime,weneedsmustbe
distressedthatFortunepaysherre
<Ess2275>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,xvi.1xvii.1
wardssounjustly.Andwhathopecananyonethenhaveforhimselfwhenheseesthat
thebestmensuffertheworstfate?Whatthenistheanswer?Seethemannerinwhich
eachoneofthemborehisfate,andiftheywerebrave,desirewithyourheartheartslike
theirs,iftheyperishedlikeawomanandacoward,thennothingperishedeitherthey
deservethatyoushouldadmiretheirvirtue,ortheydonotdeservethatyoushoulddesire
theircowardice.Forifthegreatestmenbydyingbravelymakeotherscowards,what
couldbemoreshameful?Letuspraisethosedeservingofpraiseoverandoverandsay:
"Thebraveramanis,thehappierheis!Youmayescapedfromallaccident,jealousy,
andsicknessyouhavegoneforthfromprisonitwasnotthatyouseemedtothegodsto
beworthyofevilfortune,butunworthyofbeingsubjectanylongertothepowerof
Fortune."Butthosewhodrawbackandontheverythresholdofdeathlookbacktoward
lifethereisneedtolayhandsonthese!Ishallweepfornoonewhoishappy,fornoone
whoweepstheonewithhisownhandhaswipedawaymytears,theotherbyhistears
hasmadehimselfunworthyofhavinganyofmine.ShouldIweepforHerculesbecause
hewasburnedalive?orforRegulusbecausehewaspiercedbysomanynails?orfor
Catobecausehewoundedhisownwounds\a?Allthesebyaslightsacrificeoftime
foundouthowtheymightbecomeeternal,andbydyingreachedimmortality.
Andthis,too,affordsnosmalloccasionforanxietiesifyouarebentonassuming
aposeandneverrevealyourselftoanyonefrankly,inthefashionofmanywholiveafalse
lifethatisallmadeupforshowforitistorturoustobeconstantlywatching
<Ess2277>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,xvii.14
oneselfandbefearfulofbeingcaughtoutofourusualrole.Andweareneverfreefrom
concernifwethinkthateverytimeanyonelooksatusheisalwaystakingourmeasure
formanythingshappenthatstripoffourpretenceagainstourwill,and,thoughallthis
attentiontoselfissuccessful,yetthelifeofthosewholiveunderamaskcannotbehappy
andwithoutanxiety.Buthowmuchpleasurethereisinsimplicitythatispure,initself
unadorned,andveilsnopartofitscharacter!{PlainDealer+}Yetevensuchalifeasthis
doesrunsomeriskofscorn,ifeverythingliesopentoeverybodyfortherearethosewho
disdainwhateverhasbecometoofamiliar.Butneitherdoesvirtuerunanyriskofbeing
despisedwhensheisbroughtclosetotheeyes,anditisbettertobescornedbyreason
ofsimplicitythantorturedbyperpetualpretence.Yetweshouldemploymoderationinthe
matterthereismuchdifferencebetweenlivingnaturallyandlivingcarelessly.
Moreover,weoughttoretireintoourselvesveryoftenforintercoursewiththoseof
dissimilarnaturesdisturbsoursettledcalm,androusesthepassionsanew,and
aggravatesanyweaknessinthemindthathasnotbeenthoroughlyhealed.Nevertheless
thetwothingsmustbecombinedandresortedtoalternatelysolitudeandthecrowd.The
onewillmakeuslongformen,theotherforourselves,andtheonewillrelievetheother
solitudewillcureouraversiontothethrong,thethrongourwearinessofsolitude.Andthe
mindmustnotbekeptinvariablyatthesametension,butmustbedivertedto
amusements.Socratesdidnotblushtoplaywithlittlechildren,andCato,whenhewas
weariedbythecaresofstate,wouldrelaxhismindwithwine,andScipiowould
<Ess2279>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,xvii.47
disporthistriumphalandsoldierlypersontothesoundofmusic,movingnotwiththe
voluptuouscontortionsthatarenowthefashion,whenmeneveninwalkingsouirmwith
morethanawoman'svoluptuousness,butinthemanlystyleinwhichmeninthedaysof
oldwerewonttodanceduringthetimesofsportandfestival,riskingnolossofdignity
eveniftheirownenemieslookedon.Themindmustbegivenrelaxationitwillarisebetter
andkeenerafterresting.Asrichfieldsmustnotbeforeedfortheirproductiveness,if
theyhavenorest,willquicklyexhaustthemsoconstantlabourwillbreakthevigourof
themind,butifitisreleasedandrelaxedalittlewhile,itwillrecoveritspowerscontinuous
mentaltoilbreedsinthemindacertaindullnessandlanguor.
Norwouldthedesireofmentendsomuchinthisdirectionunlesssportand
amusementbroughtasortofpleasurethatwasnatural,butthefrequentuseofthesewill
stealallweightandallforcefromthemindforsleepalsoisnecessaryforrefreshment,
neverthelessifyouprolongitthroughoutthedayandnight,itwillbedeath.Thereisa
greatdifferencebetweenslackeningandremovingyourbond!Thefoundersofourlaws
appointeddaysoffestivalinorderthatmenmightbeforeedbythestateinto
merry_making+,thinkingthatitwasnecessarytomodifytheirtoilbysomeinterruptionof
theirtasksandamonggreatmen,asIhaveremarked,someusedtosetasidefixeddays
everymonthforaholiday,somedividedeverydayintoplaytimeandworktime.Asinius
Pollio,thegreatorator,Iremember,hadsucharule,andneverworkedatanythingbeyond
thetenthhour\ahewouldnotevenreadlettersafterthathourforfearsomethingnew
mightarise
<Ess2281>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,xvii.79
thatneededattention,butinthosetwohourslaidasidethewearinessofthewholelong
day.Somebreakoffinthemiddleoftheday,andreservesometaskthatrequireslighter
effortfortheafternoonhours.Ourancestors,tooforbadeanynewmotiontobemadein
thesenateafterthetenthhour.Thesoldierdivideshiswatches,andthosewhohavejust
returnedfromanexpeditionhavethewholenightfree.Wemustbeindulgenttothemind,
andfromtimetotimemustgrantittheleisurethatservesasitsfoodandstrength.And,
too,weoughttotakewalksoutofdoorsinorderthatthemindmaybestrengthenedand
refreshedbytheopenairandmuchbreathingsometimesitwillgetnewvigourfroma
journeybycarriageandachangeofplaceandfestivecompanyandgenerousdrinking.At
timesweoughttoreachthepointevenofintoxication,notdrowningourselvesindrink,yet
succumbingtoitforitwashesawaytroubles,andstirsthemindfromitsverydepthsand
healsitssorrowjustasitdoescertainillsofthebodyandtheinventorofwineisnot
calledtheReleaser\aonaccountofthelicenceitgivestothetongue,butbecauseitfrees
themindfrombondagetocaresandemancipatesitandgivesitnewlife,andmakesit
bolderinallthatitattempts.But,asinfreedom,soinwinethereisawholesome
moderation.ItisbelievedthatSolonandArcesilauswerefondofwine,andCatohas
beenreproachedfordrunkennessbutwhoeverreproachesthatmanwillmoreeasily
makereproachhonourablethanCatobase.Yetweoughtnottodothisoften,forfearthat
themindmaycontractanevilhabit,neverthelesstherearetimeswhenitmustbedrawn
intorejoicingandfreedom,and
<Ess2283>
ONTRANQUILLITYOFMIND,xvii.1012
gloomysobrietymustbebanishedforawhile.ForwhetherwebelievewiththeGreek
poet\athat"sometimesitisapleasurealsotorave,"orwithPlatothat"thesanemind
knocksinvainatthedoorofpoetry,"orwithAristotlethat"nogreatgeniushasever
existedwithoutsometouchofmadness"\bbethatasitmay,theloftyutterancethat
risesabovetheattemptsofothersisimpossibleunlessthemindisexcited.Whenithas
scornedthevulgarandthecommonplace,andhassoaredfaraloftfiredbydivine
inspiration,thenaloneitchantsastraintooloftyformortallips.Solongasitisleftto
itself,itisimpossibleforittoreachanysublimeanddifficultheightitmustforsakethe
commontrackandbedriventofrenzyandchampthebitandrunawaywithitsriderand
rushtoaheightthatitwouldhavefearedtoclimbbyitself.Herearetherules,mydearest
Serenus,bywhichyoumaypreservetranquillity,bywhichyoumayrestoreit,bywhich
youmayresistthevicesthatstealuponitunawares.Yetbesureofthisnoneofthemis
strongenoughtoguardathingsofrailunlesswesurroundthewaveringmindwithearnest
andunceasingcare.
<Ess2285>

DEBREVITATEVITAE+
BOOKX
TOPAULINUSONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE
Themajorityofmortals,Paulinus,\acomplainbitterlyofthespitefulnessofNature,
becausewearebornforabriefspanoflife,becauseeventhisspacethathasbeen
grantedtousrushesbysospeedilyandsoswiftlythatallsaveaveryfewfindlifeatan
endjustwhentheyaregettingreadytolive.Norisitmerelythecommonherdandthe
unthinkingcrowdthatbemoanwhatis,asmendeemit,anuniversalillthesamefeeling
hascalledforthcomplaintalsofrommenwhowerefamous.Itwasthisthatmadethe
greatestofphysiciansexclaimthat"lifeisshort,artislong"\bitwasthisthatled
Aristotle,\cwhileexpostulatingwithNature,toenteranindictmentmostunbecomingtoa
wisemanthat,inpointofage,shehasshownsuchfavourtoanimalsthatthey

bThefamousaphorismofHippocratesofCos:tipaX(,g,@6@'r@XP'qPaKp@.
cAnerrorforTheophrastus,asshownbyCicero,Tusc.Disp.iii.69:"Theophrastus
autemmoriensaccusassenaturamdicitur,quodcervisetcornicibusvitamdiuturnam,
quorumidnihilinteresset,hominibus,quorummaximeinterfuisset,tamexiguamvitam
dedissetquorumsiaetaspotuissetesselonginquior,futurumfuisseutomnibusperfectis
artibusomnidoctrinahominumvitaerudiretur."
<Ess2287>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,1.2ii.2
dragoutfiveortenlifetimes,\abutthatamuchshorterlimitisfixedforman,thoughheis
bornforsomanyandsuchgreatachievements.Itisnotthatwehaveashortspaceof
time,butthatwewastemuchofit.Lifeislongenough,andithasbeengiveninsufficiently
generousmeasuretoallowtheaccomplishmentoftheverygreatestthingsifthewholeof
itiswellinvested.Butwhenitissquanderedinluxuryandcarelessness,whenitis
devotedtonogoodend,forcedatlastbytheultimatenecessityweperceivethatithas
passedawaybeforewewereawarethatitwaspassing.Soitisthelifewereceiveisnot
short,butwemakeitso,nordowehaveanylackofit,butarewastefulofit.Justasgreat
andprincelywealthisscatteredinamomentwhenitcomesintothehandsofabad
owner,whilewealthhoweverlimited,ifitisentrustedtoagoodguardian,increasesby
use,soourlifeisamplylongforhimwhoordersitproperly.
WhydowecomplainofNature?Shehasshownherselfkindlylife,ifyouknow
howtouseit,islong.Butonemanispossessedbyanavaricethatisinsatiable,another
byatoilsomedevotiontotasksthatareuselessonemanisbesottedwithwine,another
isparalyzedbyslothonemanisexhaustedbyanambitionthatalwayshangsuponthe
decisionofothers,another,drivenonbythegreedofthetrader,isledoveralllandsand
allseasbythehopeofgainsomearetormentedbyapassionforwarandarealways
eitherbentuponinflictingdangeruponothersorconcernedabouttheirownsomethere
arewhoarewornoutbyvoluntaryservitudeinathanklessattendanceuponthegreat
manyarekeptbusyeitherinthepursuitofothermen'sfortuneorincomplainingoftheir
ownmany,followingnofixedaim,shifting
<Ess2289>
ONTHF,SHORTNESSOFLIFE,ii.24
andinconstantanddissatisfied,areplungedbytheirficklenessintoplansthatareever
newsomehavenofixedprinciplebywhichtodirecttheircourse,butFatetakesthem
unawareswhiletheylollandyawnsosurelydoesithappenthatIcannotdoubtthetruth
ofthatutterancewhichthegreatestofpoetsdeliveredwithalltheseemingofanoracle:
"Thepartoflifewereallyliveissmall."\aForalltherestofexistenceisnotlife,butmerely
time.Vicesbesetusandsurroundusoneveryside,andtheydonotpermitustorise
anewandliftupoureyesforthediscernmentoftruth,buttheykeepusdownwhenonce
theyhaveoverwhelmedusandwearechainedtolust.Theirvictimsareneverallowedto
returntotheirtrueselvesifevertheychancetofindsomerelease,likethewatersofthe
deepseawhichcontinuetoheaveevenafterthestormispast,theyaretossedabout,and
norestfromtheirlustsabides.ThinkyouthatIamspeakingofthewretcheswhoseevils
areadmitted?Lookatthosewhoseprosperitymenflocktobeholdtheyaresmothered
bytheirblessings.Tohowmanyarerichesaburden!Fromhowmanydoeloquenceand
thedailystrainingtodisplaytheirpowersdrawforthblood!Howmanyarepalefrom
constantpleasures!Tohowmanydoesthethrongofclientsthatcrowdaboutthem
leavenofreedom!Inshort,runthroughthelistofallthesemenfromthelowesttothe
highestthismandesiresanadvocate,\bthisoneanswersthecall,thatoneisontrial,
thatonedefendshim,thatonegivessentencenooneassertshisclaimtohimself,
everyoneiswastedforthesakeofanother.Askaboutthemenwhosenamesareknown
byheart,andyouwillseethatthesearethemarksthatdistinguishthem:AcultivatesB
andB
<Ess2291>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,ii.5iii.2
cultivatesCnooneishisownmaster.Andthencertainmenshowthemostsenseless
indignationtheycomplainoftheinsolenceoftheirsuperiors,becausetheyweretoobusy
toseethemwhentheywishedanaudience!Butcananyonehavethehardihoodto
complainoftheprideofanotherwhenhehimselfhasnotimetoattendtohimself?After
all,nomatterwhoyouare,thegreatmandoessometimeslooktowardyouevenifhis
faceisinsolent,hedoessometimescondescendtolistentoyourwords,hepermitsyou
toappearathissidebutyouneverdeigntolookuponyourself,togiveeartoyourself.
Thereisnoreason,therefore,tocountanyoneindebtforsuchservices,seeingthat,
whenyouperformedthem,youhadnowishforanother'scompany,butcouldnotendure
yourown.
Thoughallthebrilliantintellectsoftheagesweretoconcentrateuponthisone
theme,nevercouldtheyadequatelyexpresstheirwonderatthisdensedarknessofthe
humanmind.Mendonotsufferanyonetoseizetheirestates,andtheyrushtostones
andarmsifthereiseventheslightestdisputeaboutthelimitoftheirlands,yettheyallow
otherstotrespassupontheirlifenay,theythemselvesevenleadinthosewhowill
eventuallypossessit.Nooneistobefoundwhoiswillingtodistributehismoney,yet
amonghowmanydoeseachoneofusdistributehislife!Inguardingtheirfortunemen
areoftenclosefisted,yet,whenitcomestothematterofwastingtime,inthecaseofthe
onethinginwhichitisrighttobemiserly,theyshowthemselvesmostprodigal.AndsoI
shouldliketolayholduponsomeonefromthecompanyofoldermenandsay:"Iseethat
youhavereachedthefarthestlimitofhumanlife,youare
<Ess2293>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,iii.25
pressingharduponyourhundredthyear,orareevenbeyonditcomenow,recallyourlife
andmakeareckoning.Considerhowmuchofyourtimewastakenupwitha
moneylender,howmuchwithamistress,howmuchwithapatron,howmuchwitha
client,howmuchinwranglingwithyourwife,howmuchinpunishingyourslaves,how
muchinrushingaboutthecityonsocialduties.Addthediseaseswhichwehavecaused
byourownacts,add,too,thetimethathaslainidleandunusedyouwillseethatyou
havefeweryearstoyourcreditthanyoucount.Lookbackinmemoryandconsiderwhen
youeverhadafixedplan,howfewdayshavepassedasyouhadintended,whenyou
wereeveratyourowndisposal,whenyourfaceeverworeitsnaturalexpression,when
yourmindwaseverunperturbed,whatworkyouhaveachievedinsolongalife,how
manyhaverobbedyouoflifewhenyouwerenotawareofwhatyouwerelosing,how
muchwastakenupinuselesssorrow,infoolishjoy,ingreedydesire,intheallurements
ofsociety,howlittleofyourselfwaslefttoyouyouwillperceivethatyouaredyingbefore
yourseason!"\aWhat,then,isthereasonofthis?Youliveasifyouweredestinedtolive
forever,nothoughtofyourfrailtyeverentersyourhead,ofhowmuchtimehasalready
gonebyyoutakenoheed.Yousquandertimeasifyoudrewfromafullandabundant
supply,thoughallthewhilethatdaywhichyoubestowonsomepersonorthingis
perhapsyourlast.Youhaveallthefearsofmortalsandallthedesiresofimmortals.You
willhearmanymensaying:"AftermyfiftiethyearIshallretireintoleisure,mysixtiethyear
shallreleasemefrompublicduties."Andwhatguarantee,pray,haveyouthatyourlifewill
lastlonger?Whowill
<Ess2295>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,iii.5iv.4
sufferyourcoursetobejustasyouplanit?Areyounotashamedtoreserveforyourself
onlytheremnantoflife,andtosetapartforwisdomonlythattimewhichcannotbe
devotedtoanybusiness?Howlateitistobegintolivejustwhenwemustceasetolive!
Whatfoolishforgetfulnessofmortalitytopostponewholesomeplanstothefiftiethand
sixtiethyear,andtointendtobeginlifeatapointtowhichfewhaveattained!
Youwillseethatthemostpowerfulandhighlyplacedmenletdropremarksin
whichtheylongforleisure,acclaimit,andpreferittoalltheirblessings.Theydesireat
times,ifitcouldbewithsafety,todescendfromtheirhighpinnaclefor,thoughnothing
fromwithoutshouldassailorshatter,Fortuneofitsveryselfcomescrashingdown.\a
ThedeifiedAugustus,towhomthegodsvouchsafedmorethantoanyotherman,
didnotceasetoprayforrestandtoseekreleasefrompublicaffairsallhisconversation
everrevertedtothissubjecthishopeofleisure.Thiswasthesweet,evenifvain,
consolationwithwhichhewouldgladdenhislaboursthathewouldonedaylivefor
himself.Inaletteraddressedtothesenate,inwhichhehadpromisedthathisrestwould
notbedevoidofdignitynorinconsistentwithhisformerglory,Ifindthesewords:"But
thesematterscanbeshownbetterbydeedsthanbypromises.Nevertheless,sincethe
joyfulrealityisstillfardistant,mydesireforthattimemostearnestlyprayedforhasledme
toforestallsomeofitsdelightbythepleasureofwords."Sodesirableathingdidleisure
seemthatheanticipateditinthoughtbecausehecouldnotattainitinreality.Hewhosaw
everythingdependinguponhimselfalone,whodeter
<Ess2297>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,iv.45
minedthefortuneofindividualsandofnations,thoughtmosthappilyofthatfuturedayon
whichheshouldlayasidehisgreatness.Hehaddiscoveredhowmuchsweatthose
blessingsthatshonethroughoutalllandsdrewforth,howmanysecretworriesthey
concealed.Forcedtopitarmsfirstagainsthiscountrymen,thenagainsthiscolleagues,
andlastlyagainsthisrelatives,heshedbloodonlandandsea.
ThroughMacedonia,Sicily,Egypt,Syria,andAsia,andalmostallcountrieshe
followedthepathofbattle,andwhenhistroopswerewearyofsheddingRomanblood,he
turnedthemtoforeignwars.WhilehewaspacifyingtheAlpineregions,andsubduingthe
enemiesplantedinthemidstofapeacefulempire,whilehewasextendingitsbounds
evenbeyondtheRhineandtheEuphratesandtheDanube,inRomeitselftheswordsof
Murena,Caepio,Lepidus,Egnatius,andotherswerebeingwhettedtoslayhim.Notyet
hadheescapedtheirplots,whenhisdaughter\aandallthenobleyouthswhowerebound
toherbyadulteryasbyasacredoath,oftalarmedhisfailingyearsandtherewas
Paulus,andasecondtimetheneedtofearawomaninleaguewithanAntony.\bWhenbe
hadcutawaytheseulcers\ctogetherwiththelimbsthemselves,otherswouldgrowin
theirplacejustasinabodythatwasoverburdenedwithblood,therewasalwaysa
rupturesomewhere.Andsohelongedforleisure,inthehopeandthoughtofwhichhe
foundreliefforhislabours.Thiswastheprayerofonewhowasabletoanswerthe
prayersofmankind.
<Ess2299>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,v.1vi.1
MarcusCicero,longflungamongmenlikeCatilineandClodiusandPompeyand
Crassus,someopenenemies,othersdoubtfulfriends,asheistossedtoandfroalong
withthestateandseekstokeepitfromdestruction,tobeatlastsweptaway,unableas
hewastoberestfulinprosperityorpatientinadversityhowmanytimesdoeshecurse
thatveryconsulshipofhis,whichhehadlaudedwithoutend,thoughnotwithoutreason!
Howtearfulthewordsheusesinaletter\awrittentoAtticus,whenPompeytheelderhad
beenconquered,andthesonwasstilltryingtorestorehisshatteredarmsinSpain!"Do
youask,"hesaid,"whatIamdoinghere?IamlingeringinmyTusculanvillahalfa
prisoner."Hethenproceedstootherstatements,inwhichhebewailshisformerlifeand
complainsofthepresentanddespairsofthefuture.Cicerosaidthathewas"halfa
prisoner."But,inverytruth,neverwillthewisemanresorttosolowlyaterm,neverwillhe
behalfaprisonerhewhoalwayspossessesanundiminishedandstableliberty,being
freeandhisownmasterandtoweringoverallothers.Forwhatcanpossiblybeabove
himwhoisaboveFortune?WhenLiviusDrusus,\baboldandenergeticman,hadwith
thesupportofahugecrowddrawnfromallItalyproposednewlawsandtheevil
measuresoftheGracchi,seeingnowayoutforhispolicy,whichhecouldneithercarry
throughnorabandonwhenoncestartedon,heissaidtohavecomplainedbitterlyagainst
thelifeofunresthehadhadfromthecradle,andtohaveexclaimedthathewastheonly
personwhohadneverhadaholidayevenasaboy.For,whilehe
<Ess2301>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,vi.14
wasstillawardandwearingthedressofaboy,hehadhadthecouragetocommendto
thefavourofajurythosewhowereaccused,andtomakehisinfluencefeltinthe
lawcourts,sopowerfully,indeed,thatitisverywellknownthatincertaintrialsheforeeda
favourableverdict.Towhatlengthswasnotsuchprematureambitiondestinedtogo?
Onemighthaveknownthatsuchprecocioushardihoodwouldresultingreatpersonaland
publicmisfortune.Andsoitwastoolateforhimtocomplainthathehadneverhada
holidaywhenfromboyhoodhehadbeenatroublemakerandanuisanceintheforum.It
isaquestionwhetherhediedbyhisownhandforhefellfromasuddenwoundreceived
inhisgroin,somedoubtingwhetherhisdeathwasvoluntary,noone,whetheritwas
timely.
Itwouldbesuperfluoustomentionmorewho,thoughothersdeemedthemthe
happiestofmen,haveexpressedtheirloathingforeveryactoftheiryears,andwiththeir
ownlipshavegiventruetestimonyagainstthemselvesbutbythesecomplaintsthey
changedneitherthemselvesnorothers.Forwhentheyhaveventedtheirfeelingsin
words,theyfallbackintotheirusualround.Heavenknows!suchlivesasyours,though
theyshouldpassthelimitofathousandyears,willshrinkintothemerestspanyourvices
willswallowupanyamountoftime.Thespaceyouhave,whichreasoncanprolong,
althoughitnaturallyhurriesaway,ofnecessityescapesfromyouquicklyforyoudonot
seizeit,youneitherholditback,norimposedelayupontheswiftestthingintheworld,but
youallowittoslipawayasifitweresomethingsuperfluousandthatcouldbereplaced.
<Ess2303>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,vii.14
ButamongtheworstIcountalsothosewhohavetimefornothingbutwineandlustfor
nonehavemoreshamefulengrossments.\aTheothers,eveniftheyarepossessedby
theemptydreamofglory+,neverthelessgoastrayinaseemlymannerthoughyou
shouldcitetomethemenwhoareavaricious,themenwhoarewrathful,whetherbusied
withunjusthatredsthemenarewrathful,whetherbusiedwithunjusthatredorwithunjust
wars,theseallsininmoremanly+{virilius+}fashion.Butthosewhoareplungedintothe
pleasuresofthebellyandintolustbearastainthatisdishonourable.Searchintothe
hoursofallthesepeople,\bseehowmuchtimetheygivetoaccounts,howmuchtolaying
snares,howmuchtofearingthem,howmuchtopayingcourt,howmuchtobeing
courted,howmuchistakenupingivingorreceivingbail,howmuchbybanquetsfor
eventhesehavenowbecomeamatterofbusiness,andyouwillseehowtheirinterests,
whetheryoucallthemevilorgood,donotallowthemtimetobreathe.
Finally,everybodyagreesthatnoonepursuitcanbesucecssfullyfollowedbya
manwhoisbusiedwithmanythingseloquencecannot,northeliberalstudiessincethe
mind,whenitsinterestsaredivided,takesinnothingverydeeply,butrejectseverything
thatis,asitwere,crammedintoit.Thereisnothingthebusymanislessbusiedwith
thanliving:thereisnothingthatishardertolearn.Oftheotherartstherearemany
teacherseverywheresomeofthemwehaveseenthatmereboyshavemasteredso
thoroughlythattheycouldevenplaythemaster.Ittakesthewholeoflifetolearnhowto
live,andwhatwillperhapsmakeyouwondermoreittakesthewholeoflifetolearnhow
todie.Manyverygreatmen,havinglaidasideall
<Ess2305>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,vii.47
theirencumbrances,havingrenouncedriches,business,andpleasures,havemadeit
theironeaimuptotheveryendoflifetoknowhowtoliveyetthegreaternumberofthem
havedepartedfromlifeconfesssingthattheydidnotyetknowstilllessdothoseothers
know.Believeme,ittakesagreatmanandonewhohasrisenfarabovehuman
weaknessesnottoallowanyofhistimetobefilchedfromhim,anditfollowsthatthelife
ofsuchamanisverylongbecausehehasdevotedwhollytohimselfwhatevertimehe
hashad.Noneofitlayneglectedandidlenoneofitwasunderthecontrolofanother,for,
guardingitmostgrudgingly,hefoundnothingthatwasworthytobetakeninexchangefor
histime.Andsothatmanhadtimeenough,butthosewhohavebeenrobbedofmuchof
theirlifebythepublic,havenecessarilyhadtoolittleofit.Andthereisnoreasonforyou
tosupposethatthesepeoplearenotsometimesawareoftheirloss.Indeed,youwillhear
manyofthosewhoareburdenedbygreatprosperitycryoutattimesinthemidstoftheir
throngsofclients,ortheirpleadingsincourt,ortheirothergloriousmiseries:"Ihaveno
chancetolive."Ofcourseyouhavenochance!Allthosewhosummonyouto
themselves,turnyouawayfromyourownself.Ofhowmanydayshasthatdefendant
robbedyou?Ofhowmanythatcandidate?Ofhowmanythatoldwomanweariedwith
buryingherheirs?\aOfhowmanythatmanwhoisshammingsicknessforthepurposeof
excitingthegreedofthelegacyhunters?Ofhowmanythatverypowerfulfriendwhohas
youandyourlikeonthelist,notofhisfriends,butofhisretinue?Checkoff,Isay,and
reviewthedaysofyourlifeyouwillseethatvery
<Ess2307>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,vii.8viii.1
few,andthosetherefuse.havebeenleftforyou.Thatmanwhohadprayedforthe
fasces,\awhenheattainsthem,desirestolaythemasideandsaysoverandover:"When
willthisyearbeover!"Thatmangivesgames,\band,aftersettinggreatvalueongaining
thechancetogivethem,nowsays:"WhenshallIberidofthem?"Thatadvocateis
lionizedthroughoutthewholeforum,andfillsalltheplacewithagreatcrowdthat
stretchesfartherthanhecanbeheard,yethesays:"Whenwillvacationtimecome?"
Everyonehurrieshislifeonandsuffersfromayearningforthefutureandawearinessof
thepresent.Buthewhobestowsallofhistimeonhisownneeds,whoplansoutevery
dayasifitwerehislast,neitherlongsfornorfearsthemorrow.Forwhatnewpleasureis
therethatanyhourcannowbring?Theyareallknown,allhavebeenenjoyedtothefull.
MistressFortunemaydealouttherestasshelikeshislifehasalreadyfoundsafety.
Somethingmaybeaddedtoit,butnothingtakenfromit,andhewilltakeanyadditionas
themanwhoissatisfiedandfilledtakesthefoodwhichhedoesnotdesireandyetcan
hold.Andsothereisnoreasonforyoutothinkthatanymanhaslivedlongbecausehe
hasgreyhairsorwrinkleshehasnotlivedlonghehasexistedlong.Forwhatifyou
shouldthinkthatthatmanhadhadalongvoyagewhohadbeencaughtbyafiercestorm
assoonasheleftharbour,and,swepthitherandthitherbyasuccessionofwindsthat
ragedfromdifferentquarters,hadbeendriveninacirclearoundthesamecourse?Not
muchvoyagingdidhehave,butmuchtossingabout.IamoftenfilledwithwonderwhenI
seesomemendemandingthetimeofothersandthosefromwhom
<Ess2309>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,viii.14
theyaskitmostindulgent.Bothofthemfixtheireyesontheobjectoftherequestfortime,
neitherofthemonthetimeitselfjustasifwhatisaskedwerenothing,whatisgiven,
nothing.Mentriflewiththemostpreciousthingintheworldbuttheyareblindtoit
becauseitisanincorporealthing,becauseitdoesnotcomebeneaththesightofthe
eyes,andforthisreasonitiscountedaverycheapthingnay,ofalmostnovalueatall.
Mensetverygreatstorebypensionsanddoles,andforthesetheyhireouttheirlabouror
serviceoreffort.Butnoonesetsavalueontimealluseitlavishlyasifitcostnothing.
Butseehowthesesamepeopleclaspthekneesofphysiciansiftheyfallillandthe
dangerofdeathdrawsnearer,seehowreadytheyare,ifthreatenedwithcapital
punishment,tospendalltheirpossessionsinordertolive!Sogreatistheinconsistency
oftheirfeelings.Butifeachonecouldhavethenumberofhisfutureyearssetbeforehim
asispossibleinthecaseoftheyearsthathavepassed,howalarmedthosewouldbe
whosawonlyafewremaining,howsparingofthemwouldtheybe!Andyetitiseasyto
dispenseanamountthatisassured,nomatterhowsmallitmaybebutthatmustbe
guardedmorecarefullywhichwillfailyouknownotwhen.
Yetthereisnoreasonforyoutosupposethatthesepeopledonotknowhow
preciousathingtimeisfortothosewhomtheylovemostdevotedlytheyhaveahabitof
sayingthattheyarereadytogivethemapartoftheirownyears.Andtheydogiveit,
withoutrealizingitbuttheresultoftheirgivingisthattheythemselvessufferlosswithout
addingtotheyearsoftheirdearones.Buttheverything
<Ess2311>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,viii.4ix.2
theydonotknowiswhethertheyaresufferinglosstherefore,theremovalofsomething
thatislostwithoutbeingnoticedtheyfindisbearable.Yetnoonewillbringbacktheyears,
noonewillbestowyouoncemoreonyourself.Lifewillfollowthepathitstartedupon,and
willneitherreversenorcheckitscourseitwillmakenonoise,itwillnotremindyouofits
swiftness.Silentitwillglideonitwillnotprolongitselfatthecommandofaking,oratthe
applauseofthepopulace.Justasitwasstartedonitsfirstday,soitwillrunnowhere
willitturnaside,nowherewillitdelay.Andwhatwillbetheresult?Youhavebeen
engrossed,lifehastensbymeanwhiledeathwillbeathand,forwhich,willynilly,you
mustfindleisure.
CananythingbesillierthanthepointofviewofcertainpeopleImeanthosewho
boastoftheirforesight?Theykeepthemselvesverybusilyengagedinorderthattheymay
beabletolivebettertheyspendlifeinmakingreadytolive!Theyformtheirpurposes
withaviewtothedistantfuture+yetpostponementisthegreatestwasteoflifeit
deprivesthemofeachdayasitcomes,itsnatchesfromthemthepresentbypromising
somethinghereafter.Thegreatesthindrancetolivingisexpectancy,whichdependsupon
themorrowandwastestoday.YoudisposeofthatwhichliesinthehandsofFortune,you
letgothatwhichliesinyourown.Whitherdoyoulook?Atwhatgoaldoyouaim?All
thingsthatarestilltocomelieinuncertaintylivestraightway!Seehowthegreatestof
bardscriesout,and,asifinspiredwithdivineutterance,singsthesavingstrain:
<Ess2313>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,ix,2x.1
Thefairestdayinhaplessmortals'life
Iseverfirsttoflee.
"Whydoyoudelay,"sayshe,"Whyareyouidle?Unlessyouseizetheday,it
flees."Eventhoughyouseizeit,itstillwillfleethereforeyoumustviewithtime's
swiftnessinthespeedofusingit,and,asfromatorrentthatrushesbyandwillnotalways
flow,youmustdrinkquickly.And,too,theutteranceofthebardismostadmirablyworded
tocastcensureuponinfinitedelay,inthathesays,not"thefairestage,"but"thefairest
day."Why,towhateverlengthyourgreedinclines,doyoustretchbeforeyourselfmonths
andyearsinlongarray,unconcernedandslowthoughtimefliessofast?Thepoet
speakstoyouabouttheday,andaboutthisverydaythatisflying.Isthere,then,any
doubtthatforhaplessmortals,thatis,formenwhoareengrossed,thefairestdayisever
thefirsttoflee?Oldagesurprisesthemwhiletheirmindsarestillchildish,andtheycome
toitunpreparedandunarmed,fortheyhavemadenoprovisionforittheyhavestumbled
uponitsuddenlyandunexpectedly,theydidnotnoticethatitwasdrawingnearerdayby
day.Evenasconversationorreadingordeepmeditationonsomesubjectbeguilesthe
traveller,andhefindsthathehasreachedtheendofhisjourneybeforehewasawarethat
hewasapproachingit,justsowiththisunceasingandmostswiftjourneyoflife,whichwe
makeatthesamepacewhetherwakingorsleepingthosewhoareengrossedbecome
awareofitonlyattheend.ShouldIchoosetodividemysubjectintoheadswiththeir
separateproofs,manyargumentswilloccurtomebywhichIcouldprovethatbusymen
findlifeveryshort.ButFabianus,\bwhowasnoneofyour
<Ess2315>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,x.14
lectureroomphilosophersoftoday,butoneofthegenuineandoldfashionedkind,used
tosaythatwemustfightagainstthepassions+{adfectus+}withmainforce,notwith
artifice,andthatthebattlelinemustbeturnedby,aboldattack,notbyinflictingpinpricks
thatsophistryisnotserviceable,forthepassionsmustbe,notnipped,butcrushed.Yet,
inorderthatthevictimsofthemnaybecensured,eachforhisownparticularfault,Isay
thattheymustbeinstructed,notmerelyweptover.
Lifeisdividedintothreeperiodsthatwhichhasbeen,thatwhichis,thatwhichwill
be.Ofthesethepresenttimeisshort,thefutureisdoubtful,thepastiscertain.Forthe
lastistheoneoverwhichFortunehaslostcontrol,istheonewhichcannotbebrought
backunderanyman'spower.Butmenwhoareengrossedlosethisfortheyhaveno
timetolookbackuponthepast,andeveniftheyshouldhave,itisnotpleasanttorecall
somethingtheymustviewwithregret.Theyare,therefore,unwillingtodirecttheir
thoughtsbackwardtoillspenthours,andthosewhosevicesbecomeobviousifthey
reviewthepast,eventheviceswhichweredisguisedundersomeallurementof
momentarypleasure,donothavethecouragetoreverttothosehours.Noonewillingly
turnshisthoughtbacktothepast,unlessallhisactshavebeensubmittedtothe
censorshipofhisconscience,whichisneverdeceivedhewhohasambitiouslycoveted,
proudlyscorned,recklesslyconquered,treacherouslybetrayed,greedilyseized,or
lavishlysquandered,mustneedsfearhisownmemory.Andyetthisisthepartofourtime
thatissacredandsetapart,putbeyondthereachofallhumanmishaps,andremoved
fromthedominionofFortune,thepartwhichisdisquietedby
<Ess2317>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,x.4xi.1
nowant,bynofear,bynoattacksofdiseasethiscanneitherbetroublednorbesnatched
awayitisaneverlastingandunanxiouspossession.Thepresentoffersonlyonedayat
atime,andeachbyminutesbutallthedaysofpasttimewillappearwhenyoubidthem,
theywillsufferyoutobeholdthemandkeepthematyourwillathingwhichthosewho
areengrossedhavenotimetodo.Themindthatisuntroubledandtranquilhasthepower
toroamintoallthepartsofitslifebutthemindsoftheengrossed,justasifweightedbya
yoke,cannotturnandlookbehind.Andsotheirlifevanishesintoanabyssandasit
doesnogood,nomatterhowmuchwateryoupourintoavessel,ifthereisnobottom\ato
receiveandholdit,sowithtimeitmakesnodifferencehowmuchisgivenifthereis
nothingforittosettleupon,itpassesoutthroughthechinksandholesofthemind.
Presenttimeisverybrief,sobrief,indeed,thattosomethereseemstobenoneforitis
alwaysinmotion,iteverflowsandhurriesonitceasestobebeforeithascome,andcan
nomorebrookdelaythanthefirmamentorthestars,whoseeverunrestingmovement
neverletsthemabideinthesametrack.Theengrossed,therefore,areconcernedwith
presenttimealone,anditissobriefthatitcannotbegrasped,andeventhisisfilched
awayfromthem,distractedastheyareamongmanythings.
Inaword,doyouwanttoknowhowtheydonot"livelong"?Seehoweagerthey
aretolivelong!Decrepitoldmenbegintheirprayersfortheadditionofafewmoreyears
theypretendthattheyareyoungerthantheyaretheycomfortthemselveswitha
falsehood,andareaspleasedtodeceivethemselvesasiftheydeceivedFateatthe
sametime.But
<Ess2319>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,xi.1xii.2
whenatlastsomeinfirmityhasremindedthemoftheirmortality,inwhatterrordotheydie,
feelingthattheyarebeingdraggedoutoflife,andnotmerelyleavingit.Theycryoutthat
theyhavebeenfools,becausetheyhavenotreallylived,andthattheywilllivehenceforth
inleisureifonlytheyescapefromthisillnessthenatlasttheyreflecthowuselesslythey
havestrivenforthingswhichtheydidnotenjoy,andhowalltheirtoilhasgonefornothing.
Butforthosewhoselifeispassedremotefromallbusiness,whyshoulditnotbeample?
Noneofitisassignedtoanother,noneofitisscatteredinthisdirectionandthat,noneofit
iscommittedtoFortune,noneofitperishesfromneglect,noneissubtractedbywasteful
giving,noneofitisunusedthewholeofit,sotospeak,yieldsincome.Andso,however
smalltheamountofit,itisabundantlysufficient,andtherefore,wheneverhislastdayshall
come,thewisemanwillnothesitatetogotomeetdeathwithsteadystep.
PerhapsyouaskwhomIwouldcall"theengrossed"?Thereisnoreasonforyou
tosupposethatImeanonlythosewhomthedogs\athathaveatlengthbeenletindrive
outfromthelawcourt,thosewhomyouseeeithergloriouslycrushedintheirowncrowd
offollowers,orscornfullyinsomeoneelse's,thosewhomsocialdutiescallforthfromtheir
ownhomestobumpthemagainstsomeoneelse'sdoors,orwhomthepraetor's
hammer\bkeepsbusyinseekinggainthatisdisreputableandthatwillonedayfester.
Eventheleisureofsomemenisengrossedintheirvillaorontheircouch,inthemidstof
solitude,althoughtheyhavewithdrawnfromallothers,theyarethemselvesthesourceof
theirownworryweshouldsaythattheseareliving,notinleisure,butinbusy
<Ess2321>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,xii.24
idleness.\aWouldyousaythatthatmanisatleisure\bwhoarrangeswithfinicalcarehis
Corinthianbronzes,thatthemaniaofafewmakescostly,andspendsthegreaterpartof
eachdayuponrustybitsofcopper?Whositsinapublicwrestlingplace(for,toour
shameIwelabourwithvicesthatarenotevenRoman)watchingthewranglingoflads?
Whosortsouttheherdsofhispackmulesintopairsofthesameageandcolour?Who
feedsallthenewestathletes?Tellme,wouldyousaythatthosemenareatleisurewho
passmanyhoursatthebarber'swhiletheyarebeingstrippedofwhatevergrewoutthe
nightbefore?whileasolemndebateisheldovereachseparatehair?whileeither
disarrangedlocksarerestoredtotheirplaceorthinningonesdrawnfromthissideand
thattowardtheforehead?Howangrytheygetifthebarberhasbeenabittoocareless,
justasifhewereshearingarealman!Howtheyflareupifanyoftheirmaneisloppedoff,
ifanyofitliesoutoforder,ifitdoesnotallfallintoitsproperringlets!Whoofthesewould
notratherhavethestatedisorderedthanhishair?Whoisnotmoreconcernedtohave
hisheadtrimratherthansafe?Whowouldnotratherbewellbarberedthanupright?
Wouldyousaythattheseareatleisurewhoareoccupiedwiththecombandthemirror?
Andwhatofthosewhoareengagedincomposing,hearing,andlearningsongs,while
theytwistthevoice,whosebestandsimplestmovementNaturedesignedtobe
straightforward,{PlainDealer+}intothemeanderingsofsomeindolenttune,whoare
alwayssnappingtheirfingersastheybeattimetosomesongtheyhaveintheirhead,who
areoverheardhumming

bForthetechnicalmeaningofotiosi,"theleisured,"seeSeneca'sdefinitionatthe
beginningofchap.14.
<Ess2323>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,xii.47
atunewhentheyhavebeensummonedtoserious,oftenevenmelancholy,matters?
Thesehavenotleisure,butidleoccupation.Andtheirbanquets,Heavenknows!Icannot
reckonamongtheirunoccupiedhours,sinceIseehowanxiouslytheysetouttheirsilver
plate,howdiligentlytheytieupthetunicsoftheirprettyslaveboys,howbreathlesslythey
watchtoseeinwhatstylethewildboarissuesfromthehandsofthecook,withwhat
speedatagivensignalsmoothfacedboyshurrytoperformtheirduties,withwhatskillthe
birdsarecarvedintoportionsallaccordingtorule,howcarefullyunhappylittleladswipe
upthespittleofdrunkards.Bysuchmeanstheyseekthereputationofbeingfastidious
andelegant,andtosuchanextentdotheirevilsfollowthemintoalltheprivaciesoflife
thattheycanneithereatnordrinkwithoutostentation.AndIwouldnotcounttheseamong
theleisuredclasseitherthemenwhohavethemselvesbornehitherandthitherina
sedanchairandalitter,andarepunctualatthehoursfortheirridesasifitwereunlawful
toomitthem,whoareremindedbysomeoneelsewhentheymustbathe,whentheymust
swim,whentheymustdinesoenfeebledaretheybytheexcessivelassitudeofa
pamperedmindthattheycannotfindoutbythemselveswhethertheyarehungry!Ihear
thatoneofthesepamperedpeopleprovidedthatyoucancallitpamperingtounlearnthe
habitsofhumanlifewhenhehadbeenliftedbyhandsfromthebathandplacedinhis
sedanchair,saidquestioningly:"AmInowseated?"Doyouthinkthatthisman,whodoes
notknowwhetherheissitting,knowswhetherheisalive,whetherhesees,whetherheis
atleisure?IfindithardtosaywhetherIpityhim
<Ess2325>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,xii.8xiii.2
moreifhereallydidnotknow,orifhepretendednottoknowthis.Theyreallyaresubject
toforgetfulnessofmanythings,buttheyalsopretendforgetfulnessofmany.Somevices
delightthemasbeingproofsoftheirprosperityitseemsthepartofamanwhoisvery
lowlyanddespicabletoknowwhatheisdoing.Afterthisimaginethatthemimes\a
fabricatemanythingstomakeamockofluxury!Inverytruth,theypassovermorethan
theyinvent,andsuchamultitudeofunbelievableviceshascomeforthinthisage,so
cleverinthisonedirection,thatbynowwecanchargethemimeswithneglect.Tothink
thatthereisanyonewhoissolostinluxurythathetakesanother'swordastowhetherhe
issittingdown!Thisman,then,isnotatleisure,youmustapplytohimadifferentterm
heissick,nay,heisdeadthatmanisatleisure,whohasalsoaperceptionofhisleisure.
Butthisotherwhoishalfalive,who,inorderthathemayknowtheposturesofhisown
body,needssomeonetotellhimhowcanhebethemasterofanyofhistime?
Itwouldbetedioustomentionallthedifferentmenwhohavespentthewholeof
theirlifeoverchessorballorthepracticeofbakingtheirbodiesinthesun.Theyarenot
unoccupiedwhosepleasuresaremadeabusyoccupation.Forinstance,noonewill
haveanydoubtthatthosearelaborioustriflerswhospendtheirtimeonuselessliterary
problems,ofwhomevenamongtheRomansthereisnowagreatnumber.Itwasoncea
foibleconfinedtotheGreekstoinquireintowhatnumberofrowersUlysseshad,whether
theIliadortheOdysseywaswrittenfirst,whethermoreovertheybelongtothesame
author,andvariousothermattersofthisstamp,which,ifyoukeepthem
<Ess2327>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,xiii.26
toyourself,innowaypleasureyoursecretsoul,and,ifyoupublishthem,makeyouseem
moreofaborethanascholar.Butnowthisvainpassionforlearninguselessthingshas
assailedtheRomansalso.InthelastfewdaysIheardsomeonetellingwhowasthefirst
RomangeneraltodothisorthatDuiliuswasthefirstwhowonanavalbattle,Curius
Dentatuswasthefirstwhohadelephantsledinhistriumph.Still,thesematters,evenif
theyaddnothingtorealglory,areneverthelessconcernedwithsignalservicestothe
statetherewillbenoprofitinsuchknowledge,neverthelessitwinsourattentionby
reasonoftheattractivenessofanemptysubject.Wemayexcusealsothosewhoinquire
intothiswhofirstinducedtheRomanstogoonboardship.ItwasClaudius,andthis
wastheveryreasonhewassurnamedCaudex,becauseamongtheancientsastructure
formedbyjoiningtogetherseveralboardswascalledacaudex,whencealsotheTablesof
theLawarecalledcodices,"and,intheancientfashion,boatsthatcarryprovisionsupthe
Tiberareeventodaycalledcodicariae.Doubtlessthistoomayhavesomepointthefact
thatValeriusCorvinuswasthefirsttoconquerMessana,andwasthefirstofthefamilyof
theValeriitobearthesurnameMessanabecausebehadtransferredthenameofthe
conqueredcitytohimself,andwaslatercalledMessalaafterthegradualcorruptionofthe
nameinthepopularspeech.Perhapsyouwillpermitsomeonetobeinterestedalsoin
thisthefactthatLuciusSullawasthefirsttoexhibitloosedlionsintheCircus,thoughat
othertimestheywereexhibitedinchains,andthatjavelinthrowersweresentbyKing
Bocchustodespatchthem?And,doubtless,thistoomayfindsomeexcusebutdoes
<Ess2329>

THESHORTNESSOFLIFE,xiii.68
itserveanyusefulpurposetoknowthatPompeywasthefirsttoexhibittheslaughterof
eighteenelephantsintheCircus,pittingcriminalsagainsttheminamimicbattle?He,a
leaderofthestateandonewho,accordingtoreport,wasconspicuousamongthe
leaders\aofoldforthekindnessofhisheart,thoughtitanotablekindofspectacletokill
humanbeingsafteranewfashion.Dotheyfighttothedeath?Thatisnotenough!Are
theytorntopieces?Thatisnotenough!Letthembecrushedbyaninialsofmonstrous
bulk!Betterwoulditbethatthesethingspassintooblivionlesthereaftersome
allpowerfulmanshouldlearnthemandbejealousofanactthatwasnowisehuman.\bO,
whatblindnessdoesgreatprosperitycastuponourminds!Whenhewascastingso
manytroopsofwretchedhumanbeingstowildbeastsbornunderadifferentsky,whenhe
wasproclaimingwarbetweencreaturessoillmatched,whenhewassheddingsomuch
bloodbeforetheeyesoftheRomanpeople,whoitselfwassoontobeforeedtoshed
more.hethenbelievedthathewasbeyondthepowerofNature.Butlaterthissame
man,betrayedbyAlexandrinetreachery,offeredhimselftothedaggerofthevilestslave,
andthenatlastdiscoveredwhatanemptyboasthissurname\cwas.
ButtoreturntothepointfromwhichIhavedigressed,andtoshowthatsome
peoplebestowuselesspainsuponthesesamemattersthemanImentionedrelatedthat
Metellus,whenhetriumphedafterhisvictoryovertheCarthaginiansinSicily,wastheonly
oneofalltheRomanswhohadcausedahundredandtwentycapturedelephantstobe
led

ci.e.,Magnus.
<Ess2331>
ONTHESHORTNFSSOFLIFE,xiii.8xiv.1
beforehiscarthatSullawasthelastoftheRoman'swhoextendedthepomerium,\a
whichinoldtimesitwascustomarytoextendaftertheacquisitionofItalianbutneverof
provincial,territory.IsitmoreprofitabletoknowthisthanthatMountAventine,according
tohim,isoutsidethepomeriumforoneoftworeasons,eitherbecausethatwastheplace
towhichtheplebeianshadseceded,orbecausethebirdshadnotbeenfavourablewhen
Remustookhisauspicesonthatspotand,inturn,countlessotherreportsthatareeither
crammedwithfalsehoodorareofthesamesort?Forthoughyougrantthattheytellthese
thingsingoodfaith,thoughtheypledgethemselvesforthetruthofwhattheywrite,still
whosemistakeswillbemadefewerbysuchstories?Whosepassionswilltheyrestrain?
Whomwilltheymakemorebrave,whommorejust,whommorenobleminded?Myfriend
Fabianususedtosaythatattimeshewasdoubtfulwhetheritwasnotbetternottoapply
oneselftoanystudiesthantobecomeentangledinthese.
Ofallmentheyaloneareatleisurewhotaketimeforphilosophy,theyalonereally
livefortheyarenotcontenttobegoodguardiansoftheirownlifetimeonly.Theyannex
everagetotheirownalltheyearsthathavegoneorethemareanadditiontotheirstore.
Unlessswearemostungrateful,allthosenen,gloriousfashionersofholythoughts,were
bornforusforustheyhavepreparedawayoflife.Byothermen'slaboursweareledto
thesightofthingsmostbeautifulthathavebeenwrestedfromdarknessandbroughtinto
lightfromnoageareweshutout,wehaveaccesstoallages,andifitisourwish,by
greatnessofmind,topassbeyondthe
<Ess2333>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,xiv.15
narrowlimitsofhumanweakness,thereisagreatstretchoftimethroughwhichwemay
roam.WemayarguewithSocrates,wemaydoubt\awithCarneades,findpeacewith
Epicurus,overcomehumannaturewiththeStoics,exceeditwiththeCynics.Since
Natureallowsustoenterintofellowshipwitheveryage,whyshouldwenotturnfromthis
paltryandfleetingspanoftimeandsurrenderourselveswithalloursoultothepast,which
isboundless,whichiseternal,whichwesharewithourbetters?
Thosewhorushaboutintheperformanceofsocialduties,whogivethemselves
andothersnorest,whentheyhavefullyindulgedtheirmadness,whentheyhaveevery
daycrossedeverybody'sthreshold,andhaveleftnoopendoorunvisited,whentheyhave
carriedaroundtheirvenalgreetingtohousesthatareveryfarapartoutofacitysohuge
andtornbysuchvarieddesires,howfewwilltheybeabletosee?Howmanywilltherebe
whoeitherfromsleeporselfindulgenceorrudenesswillkeepthemout!Howmanywho,
whentheyhavetorturedthemwithlongwaiting,willrushby,pretendingtobeinahurry!
Howmanywillavoidpassingoutthroughahallthatiscrowdedwithclients,andwillmake
theirescapethroughsomeconcealeddoorasifitwerenotmorediscourteoustodeceive
thantoexclude.Howmany,stillhalfasleepandsluggishfromlastnight'sdebauch,
scarcelyliftingtheirlipsinthemidstofamostinsolentyawn,managetobestowon
yonderpoorwretches,whobreaktheirownslumber\binordertowaitonthatofanother,
therightnameonlyafterithasbeenwhisperedtothemathousandtimes!
Butwemayfairlysaythattheyaloneareengaged
<Ess2335>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,xiv.5xv.4
inthetruedutiesoflifewhoshallwishtohaveZeno,Pythagoras,Democritus,andallthe
otherhighpriestsofliberalstudies+,andAristotleandTheophrastus,astheirmost
intimatefriendseveryday.Nooneofthesewillbe"notathome,"nooneofthesewillfail
tohavehisvisitorleavemorehappyandmoredevotedtohimselfthanwhenhecame,no
oneofthesewillallowanyonetoleavehimwithemptyhandsallmortalscanmeetwith
thembynightorbyday.
Nooneofthesewillforceyoutodie,butallwillteachyouhowtodienooneof
thesewillwearoutyouryears,buteachwilladdhisownyearstoyoursconversations
withnooneofthesewillbringyouperil,thefriendshipofnonewillendangeryourlife,the
courtingofnonewilltaxyourpurse.Fromthemyouwilltakewhateveryouwishitwillbe
nofaultoftheirsifyoudonotdrawtheutmostthatyoucandesire.Whathappiness,what
afairoldageawaitshimwhohasofferedhimselfasaclienttothese!Hewillhavefriends
fromwhomhemayseekcounselonmattersgreatandsmall,whomhemayconsult
everydayabouthimself,fromwhomhemayheartruthwithoutinsult,praisewithout
flattery,andafterwhoselikenesshemayfashionhimself.Wearewonttosaythatitwas
notinourpowertochoosetheparentswhofelltoourlot,thattheyhavebeengivento
menbychanceyetwemaybethesonsofwhomsoeverwewill.Householdsthereareof
noblestintellectschoosetheoneintowhichyouwishtobeadoptedyouwillinheritnot
merelytheirname,buteventheirproperty,whichtherewillbenoneedtoguardinamean
orniggardlyspiritthemorepersonsyoushareitwith,thegreateritwillbecome.
<Ess2337>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,xv.4xvi.1
Thesewillopentoyouthepathtoimmortality,andwillraiseyoutoaheightfromwhichno
oneiscastdown.Thisistheonlywayofprolongingmortalitynay,ofturningitinto
immortality.Honours,monuments,allthatambitionhascommandedbydecreesor
rearedinworksofstone,quicklysinktoruinthereisnothingthatthelapseoftimedoes
notteardownandremove.Buttheworkswhichphilosophyhasconsecratedcannotbe
harmednoagewilldestroythem,noagereducethemthefollowingandeach
succeedingagewillbutincreasethereverenceforthem,sinceenvyworksuponwhatis
closeathand,andthingsthatarefaroffwearemorefreetoadmire.Thelifeofthe
philosopher,therefore,haswiderange,andheisnotconfinedbythesameboundsthat
shutothersin.Healoneisfreedfromthelimitationsofthehumanraceallagesserve
himasifagod.Hassometimepassedby?Thisheembracesbyrecollection.Istime
present?Thisheuses.Isitstilltocome?Thisheanticipates.Hemakeshislifelongby
combiningalltimesintoone.
Butthosewhoforgetthepast,neglectthepresent,andfearforthefuturehavea
lifethatisverybriefandtroubledwhentheyhavereachedtheendofit,thepoorwretches
perceivetoolatethatforsuchalongwhiletheyhavebeenbusiedindoingnothing.Nor
becausetheysometimesinvokedeath,haveyouanyreasontothinkitanyproofthatthey
findlifelong.Intheirfollytheyareharassedbyshiftingemotionswhichrushthemintothe
verythingstheydreadtheyoftenprayfordeathbecausetheyfearit.And,too,youhave
noreasontothinkthatthisisanyproofthattheyarelivingalongtimethefactthatthe
dayoftenseemstothemlong,thefact
<Ess2339>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,xvi,3xvii.1
thattheycomplainthatthehourspassslowlyuntilthetimesetfordinnerarrivesfor,
whenevertheirengrossmentsfailthem,theyarerestlessbecausetheyareleftwith
nothingtodo,andtheydonotknowhowtodisposeoftheirleisureortodragoutthetime.
Andsotheystriveforsomethingelsetooccupythem,andalltheinterveningtimeis
irksomeexactlyastheydowhenagladiatorialexhibition\bisbeenannounced,orwhen
theyarewaitingfortheappointedtimeofsomeothershoworamusement,theywantto
skipoverthedaysthatliebetween.Allpostponementofsomethingtheyhopeforseems
longtothem.Yetthetimewhichtheyenjoyisshortandswift,anditismademuch
shorterbytheirownfaultfortheyfleefromonepleasuretoanotherandcannotremain
fixedinonedesire.Theirdaysarenotlongtothem,buthatefulyet,ontheotherhand,
howscantyseemthenightswhichtheyspendinthearmsofaharlotorinwine!Itisthis
alsothataccountsforthemadnessofpoetsinfosteringhumanfrailtiesbythetalesin
whichtheyrepresentthatJupiterundertheenticenientofthepleasuresofaloverdoubled
thelengthofthenight.Forwhatisitbuttoinflameourvicestoinscribethenameofthe
godsastheirsponsors,andtopresenttheexcusedindulgenceofdivinityasanexample
toourownweakness?Canthenightswhichtheypayforsodearlyfailtoseemalltoo
shorttothesemen?Theylosethedayinexpectationofthenight,andthenightinfearof
thedawn.
Theverypleasuresofsuchmenareuneasyanddisquietedbyalarmsofvarious
sorts,andattheverymomentofrejoicingtheanxiousthoughtcomesoverthem:How
longwillthesethingslast?"This
<Ess2341>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,xvii.15
feelinghasledkingstoweepoverthepowertheypossessed,andtheyhavenotsomuch
delightedinthegreatnessoftheirfortune,astheyhaveviewedwithterrortheendtowhich
itmustsometimecome.WhentheKingofPersia,\ainalltheinsolenceofhispride,
spreadhisarmyoverthevastplainsandcouldnotgraspitsnumberbutsimplyits
measure,\bheshedcopioustearsbecauseinsideofahundredyearsnotamanofsuch
amightyarmywouldbealive.\cButhewhoweptwastobringuponthemtheirfate,was
togivesometotheirdoomonthesea,someontheland,someinbattle,someinflight,
andwithinashorttimewastodestroyallthoseforwhosehundredthyearhehadsuch
fear.Andwhyisitthateventheirjoysareuneasyfromfear?Becausetheydonotreston
stablecauses,butareperturbedasgroundiesslyastheyareborn.Butofwhatsortdo
youthinkthosetimesarewhichevenbytheirownconfessionarewretched,sinceeven
thejoysbywhichtheyareexaltedandliftedabovemankindarebynomeanspure?All
thegreatestblessingsareasourceofanxiety,andatnotimeisfortunelesswisely
trustedthanwhenitisbesttomaintainprosperitythereisneedofotherprosperity,andin
behalfoftheprayersthathaveturnedoutwellwemustmakestillotherprayers.For
everythingthatcomestousfromchanceisunstable,andthehigheritrises,themore
liableitistofall.Moreover,whatisdoomedtoperishbringspleasuretonoonevery
wretched,therefore,andnotmerelyshort,mustthelifeofthosebewhoworkhardtogain
whattheymustworkhardertokeep.Bygreattoiltheyattainwhattheywish,andwith
anxietyholdwhattheyhaveattainedmeanwhiletheytakenoaccountoftimethatwill
nevermore
<Ess2343>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,xvii.5xviii.1
return.Newengrossmentstaketheplaceoftheold,hopeleadstonewhope,ambitionto
newambition.Theydonotseekanendoftheirwretchedness,butchangethecause.
Havewebeentormentedbyourownpublichonours?Thoseofotherstakemoreofour
time.Haveweceasedtolabourascandidates?Webegintocanvassforothers.Have
wegotridofthetroublesofaprosecutor?Wefindthoseofajudge.Hasamanceasedto
beajudge?Hebecomespresidentofacourt.Hashebecomeinfirminmanagingthe
propertyofothersatasalary?Heisperplexedbycaringforhisownwealth.Havethe
barracks\asetMariusfree?Theconsulshipkeepshimbusy.DoesQuintiushastento
gettotheendofhisdictatorship?Hewillbecalledbacktoitfromtheplough.Scipiowill
goagainsttheCarthaginiansbeforeheisripeforsogreatanundertakingvictoriousover
Hannibal,victoriousoverAntiochus,thegloryofhisownconsulship,thesuretyforhis
brother's,didhenotstandinhisownway,hewouldbesetbesideJove\cbutthediscord
ofcivilianswillvextheirpreserver,and,whenasayoungmanhehadscornedhonours
thatrivalledthoseofthegods,atlength,whenheisold,hisambitionwilllakedelightin
stubbornexile.\dReasonsforanxietywillneverbelacking,whetherbornofprosperityor
ofwretchednesslifepushesoninasuccessionofengrossments.Weshallalwayspray
forleisure,butneverenjoyit.
Andso,mydearestPaulinus,tearyourselfawayfromthecrowd,and,toomuch
stormtossedforthetimeyouhavelived,atlengthwithdrawintoapeacefulharbour.
Thinkofhowmanywavesyouhaveencountered,howmanystorms,ontheonehand,
youhavesustainedinprivatelife,howmany,ontheother,
<Ess2345>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,xviii.15)
youhavebroughtuponyourselfinpubliclifelongenoughhasyourvirtuebeendisplayed
inlaboriousandunceasingproofstryhowitwillbehaveinleisure.Thegreaterpartof
yourlife,certainlythebetterpartofit,hasbeengiventothestatetakenowsomepartof
yourtimeforyourselfaswell.AndIdonotsummonyoutoslothfuloridleinaction,orto
drownallyournativeenergyinslumbersandthepleasuresthataredeartothecrowd.
Thatisnottorestyouwillfindfargreaterworksthanallthoseyouhavehitherto
performedsoenergetically,tooccupyyouinthemidstofyourreleaseandretiremeat.
You,Iknow,managetheaccountsofthewholeworldashonestlyasyouwoulda
stranger's,ascarefullyasyouwouldyourown,asconscientiouslyasyouwouldthe
state's.Youwinloveinanofficeinwhichitisdifficulttoavoidhatredbutnevertheless
believeme,itisbettertohaveknowledgeoftheledgerofone'sownlifethanofthe
cornmarket.Recallthatkeenmindofyours,whichismostcompetenttocopewiththe
greatestsubjects,fromaservicethatisindeedhonourablebuthardlyadaptedtothe
happylife,andreflectthatinallyourtrainingintheliberalstudies,extendingfromyour
earliestyears,youwerenotaimingatthisthatitmightbesafetoentrustmanythousand
pecksofcorntoyourchargeyougavehopeofsomethinggreaterandmorelofty.There
willbenolackofmenoftestedworthandpainstakingindustry.Butploddingoxenare
muchmoresuitedtocarryingheavyloadsthanthoroughbredhorses,andwhoever
hampersthefleetnessofsuchhighborncreatureswithaheavypack?Reflect,besides,
howmuchworryyouhaveinsubjectingyourselftosuchagreatburdenyourdeal
<Ess2347>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,xviii.5xix.1
ingsarewiththebellyofman.Ahungrypeopleneitherlistenstoreason,norisappeased
byjustice,norisbentbyanyentreaty.Veryrecentlywithinthosefewday'safterGaius
Caesardiedstillgrievingmostdeeply(ifthedeadhaveanyfeeling)becauseheknew
thattheRomanpeoplewerealive\aandhadenoughfoodleftforatanyratesevenoreight
dayswhilehewasbuildinghisbridgesofboats\bandplayingwiththeresourcesofthe
empire,wewerethreatenedwiththeworstevilthatcanbefallmenevenduringasiege
thelackofprovisionshisimitationofamadandforeignandmisproudking\cwasvery
nearlyatthecostofthecity'sdestructionandfamineandthegeneralrevolutionthat
followsfamine.Whatthenmusthavebeenthefeelingofthosewhohadchargeofthe
cornmarket,andhadtofacestones,thesword,fireandaCaligula?Bythegreatest
subterfugetheyconcealedthegreatevilthatlurkedinthevitalsofthestatewithgood
reason,youmaybesure.Forcertainmaladiesmustbetreatedwhilethepatientiskeptin
ignoranceknowledgeoftheirdiscasehascausedthedeathofmany.
Doyouretiretothesequieter,safer,greaterthings!Thinkyouthatitisjustthe
samewhetheryouareconcernedinhavingcornfromoverseapouredintothegranaries,
unhurteitherbythedishonestyortheneglectofthosewhotransportit,inseeingthatit
doesnotbecomeheatedandspoiledbycollectingmoistureandtalliesinweightand
measure,orwhetheryouenteruponthesesacredandloftystudies+withthepurposeof
discoveringwhatsubstance,what

cXerxes,wholaidabridgeovertheHellespont.
<Ess2349>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,xix.1xx.1
pleasure,whatmodeoflife,whatshapeGodhaswhatfateawaitsyoursoulwhere
NaturelaysustorestWhenwearefreedfromthebodywhattheprincipleisthatupholds
alltheheaviestmatterinthecentreofthisworld,suspendsthelightonhigh,carriesfireto
thetopmostpart,summonsthestarstotheirproperchangesandethermatters,inturn,
fullofmightywonders?Youreallymustleavethegroundandturnyourmind'seyeupon
thesethings!Nowwhilethebloodishot,wemustenterwithbriskstepuponthebetter
course.Inthiskindoflifethereawaitsmuchthatisgoodtoknowtheloveandpracticeof
thevirtues,forgetfulnessofthepassions{cupidatium+},knowledgeoflivinganddying,
andalifeofdeeprepose.
Theconditionofallwhoareengrossediswretched,butmostwretchedisthe
conditionofthosewholabouratengrossmentsthatarenoteventheirown,whoregulate
theirsleepbythatofanother,theirwalkbythepaceofanother,whoareunderordersin
caseofthefreestthingsintheworldlovingandhating.Ifthesewishtoknowhowshort
theirlifeis,letthemreflecthowsmallapartofitistheirown.
Andsowhenyouseeamanoftenwearingtherobeofoffice,whenyouseeone
whosenameisfamousintheForum,donotenvyhimthosethingsareboughtatthe
priceoflife.Theywillwastealltheiryears,inorderthattheymayhaveoneyearreckoned
bytheirname.\aLifehasleftsomeinthemidstoftheirfirststruggles,beforetheycould
climbuptotheheightoftheirambitionsome,whentheyhavecrawledupthrougha
thousandindignitiestothecrowni,indignity,havebeenpossessedbytheunhappythought
thattheyhavebuttoiledforaninscription
<Ess2351>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,xx.15
onatombsomewhohavecometoextremeoldage,whiletheyadjustedittonewhopes
asifitwereyouth,havehaditfailfromsheerweaknessinthemidstoftheirgreatand
shamelessendeavours.Shamefulishewhosebreathleaveshiminthemidstofatrial
when,advancedinyearsandstillcourtingtheapplauseofanignorantcircle,heis
pleadingforsomelitigantwhoistheverieststrangerdisgracefulishewho,exhausted
morequicklybyhismodeoflivingthanbyhislabour,collapsesintheverymidstofhis
dutiesdisgracefulishewhodiesintheactofreceivingpaymentsonaccount,anddraws
asmilefromhislongdelayed\aheir.Icannotpassoveraninstancewhichoccurstome.
Sextus\bTuranniuswasanoldmanoflongtesteddiligence,who,afterhisninetiethyear,
havingreceivedreleasefromthedutiesofhisofficebyGaiusCaesar'sownact,ordered
himselftobelaidoutonhisbedandtobemournedbytheassembledhouseholdasifhe
weredead.Thewholehousebemoanedtheleisureofitsoldmaster,anddidnotendits
sorrowuntilhisaccustomedworkwasrestoredtohim.Isitreallysuchpleasureforaman
todieinharness?Yetverymanyhavethesamefeelingtheirdesirefortheirlabourlasts
longerthantheirabilitytheyfightagainsttheweaknessofthebody,theyjudgeoldageto
beahardshiponnootherscorethanbecauseitputsthemaside.Thelawdoesnotdraft
asoldierafterhisfiftiethyear,itdoesnotcallasenatorafterhissixtiethitismoredifficult
formentoobtainleisurefromthemselvesthanfromthelaw.Meantime,whiletheyrob
andarebeingrobbed,whiletheybreakupeachother'srepose,whiletheymakeeach
otherwretched,theirlifeiswithoutprofit,withoutpleasure,withoutanyimprovement
<Ess2353>
ONTHESHORTNESSOFLIFE,xx.5
ofthemind.Noonekeepsdeathinview,noonerefrainsfromfarreachinghopessome
men,indeed,evenarrangeforthingsthatliebeyondlifehugemassesoftombsand
dedicationsofpublicworksandgiftsfortheirfuneralpyresandostentatiousfunerals.But,
inverytruth,thefuneralsofsuchmenoughttobeconductedbythelightoftorchesand
waxtapers,\aasthoughtheyhadlivedbutthetiniestspan.
<Ess2355>

DECONSOLATIONEADPOLYBIUM+
BOOKXI
TOPOLYBIUSONCONSOLATION
CITIES\aandmonumentsmadeofstone,ifyoucomparethemwithourlife,are
enduringifyousubmitthemtothestandardofNature'slawtheyareperishable,since
Naturebringsallthingstodestructionandrecallsthemtothestatefromwhichthey
sprang.Forwhatthatmortalhandshavemadeiseverimmortal?Thesevenwondersof
theworldandalltheworks,farmorewonderfulthanthese,thattheambitionoflateryears
hasreared,willsomedaybeseenlevelledtotheground.Soitisnothingiseverlasting,
fewthingsareevenlonglastingonethingperishesinoneway,anotherinanother,though
themanneroftheirpassingvaries,yetwhateverhasbeginninghasalsoanend.Some
therearewhothreateneventheworldwithdestruction,and(ifyouthinkthatpietyadmits
thebelief)thisuniverse,whichcontainsalltheworksofgodsandmen,willonedaybe
scatteredandplungedintotheancientchaosanddarkness.
Whatfolly,then,foranyonetoweepforthelivesofindividuals,tomournoverthe
ashesofCarthageandNumantiaandCorinthandthefallofanyothercity,mayhaploftier

aTheessaybeginsabrubtlyafterthelossofsomepartofthetext.<Polybius>at
onetimewastheemperor'ssecretaryastudiis(Suet.Claudius,28),andwhenthis
essaywaswrittenwasholdingtheresponsiblepostalibellis(ch.6.5).
<Ess2357>
TOPOLYBIUSONCONSOLATION,1.2ii.2
thanthese,wheneventhisuniversewillperishthoughithasnoplaceintowhichitcanfall
whatfollyforanyonetocomplainthatFate+,thoughshewillsomedaydaresogreata
crime,hasnotsparedevenhim!Whoisofsuchhaughtyandoverweaningpresumption
astowishthatheandhisdearonesalonebeexceptedfromthislawofNaturethatbrings
allthingstotheirend,andtoexemptsomeonehouseholdfromthedestructionthat
threatenseventheworlditself?Aman,therefore,willfindthegreatestcomfortinthe
thoughtthatwhathasbefallenhimselfwassufferedbyallwhowerebeforehimandwillbe
sufferedbyallwhocomeafterhintandNaturehas,itseemstome,madeuniversalwhat
shehadmadehardesttobearinorderthattheuniformityoffatemightconsolemenforits
cruelty.
Anditwillhelpyou,too,notalittleifyoureflectthatyourgriefcanaccomplish
nothingeitherforhimwhoselossyoumournorforyourselfforthesufferingthatisvain
youwillbeunwillingtoprolong.Forifwearelikelytoaccomplishanythingbysorrow,Ido
notrefusetoshedwhatevertearsmyownfortune\ahasleftmeinregretforyoursforI
shallevenyetfindsomethatmayflowfromtheseeyesofmine,thathavealreadybeen
drainedbymypersonalwoes,ifonlytherebyImaydoyousomegood.Whydoyou
hesitate?Letuslamenttogether,orratherImyselfwillbringforththisindictmentasmy
own:"OFortune,youwhobytheverdictofallmenaremostunjust,youseemedhitherto
tohavecherishedthismaninyourbosom,for,thankstoyou,hehadbyarareaccident
wonsomuchrespectthathisprosperityescapedenvy.Butnowyouhavestampedupon
himthegreatestsorrowthat,whileCaesar

aSenecawritesfromexileinCorsica,towhichhewasbanishedunderClaudius
(A.D.41).
<Ess2359>
TOPOLYBIUSONCONSOLATION,ii.27
lives,hecouldpossiblyhavereceived,and,havingthoroughlyreconnoitredhimonevery
side,youdiscoveredthatfromthisdirectiononlywasheexposedtoyourarrows.For
whatotherharmcouldyouhavedealthim?Shouldyouhavesnatchedawayhismoney?
Buthewasneveritsslaveevennowhethrustsitfromhimasmuchashecan,and,
thoughhehassomanyopportunitiestoacquireit,heseeksfromitnogreatergainthan
thepowertoscornit.Shouldyouhavesnatchedawayhisfriends?Butyouknewthat,so
lovableishe,hecouldeasilysubstituteothersinplaceofthosehehadlostforofallthose
Ihaveseenholdinghighplaceintheimperialhousehold,Iseemtohavediscoveredinhim
theonlyonewhom,thoughitistotheinterestofall,itisyetevenmoretheirpleasure,to
haveasafriend.Shouldyouhavesnatchedawayhisgoodreputation?Butinhiscase
thisistoowellgroundedforevenyoutobeabletoshakeit.Shouldyouhavesnatched
awaygoodhealth?Butyouknewthathismindwassowellgroundedbyliberalstudies+
forhehadnotmerelybeenbred,butborn,amongbooksthatitrosesuperiortoallpains
ofthebody.Shouldyouhavesnatchedawayhislife?Buthowlittleyoucouldhave
harmedhim!Famehaspromisedhimthatthelifeofhisgeniusshallbeverylongand
hehimselfhasmadeithisaimthatheshouldendure,inthebetterpartofhim,andbythe
compositionofgloriousworksofeloquencerescuehimselffrommortality.Solongas
lettersshallhaveanyhonour,solongastheforceoftheLatinorthegraceoftheGreek
tongueshallsurvive,heshallflourishinthecompanyofthosegiantsofwhosegeniushe
hasmadehimselfarival,or,ifhismodestyrefusessomuch,a
<Ess2361>
TOPOLYBIUSONCONSOLATION,ii.7iii.3
devotee.Consequently,Fortune,youhavefoundoutthatthisistheonlywayinwhichyou
couldinjurehimverydeeplyforthebetteramanis,themoreoftenishewonttoendure
yourassaultsyouwhoventyourragewithoutdiscrimination,andaretobefearedeven
inthemidstofyourkindnesses.Howlittleitwouldhavecostyoutorenderhimexempt
fromsuchaninjuryamantowhom,itseemed,yourfavourhadbeenextendedona
fixedprinciple,andhadnot,afteryourusualfashion,fallenuponhimatrandom."
Letusadd,ifyouwill,tothesegroundsofcomplaintthecharacteroftheyouth
himself,cutoffinthemidstofitsfirstgrowthworthywashetobeyourbrother.You,at
anyrate,weremostworthythatnotevenanunworthybrothershouldbetoyouanycause
forgrief.\aAllmenalikebearwitnesstohischaracterheisregrettedincomplimentto
you,heislaudedincomplimenttohimself.Therewasnothinginhimwhichyouwerenot
gladtorecognize.Youwouldindeedhavebeengoodeventoabrotherlessgood,butin
hiscaseyournaturalaffection,havingfoundasuitableobject,displayeditselfmuchmore
generously.Noonewasevermadetofeelhispowerfromaninjuryhedid,henever
threatenedanyonewithyourbeinghisbrother.Hehadmouldedhimselfafterthepattern
ofyourmodesty,andrememberedwhatagreatornamentyouweretoyourfamily,and
whataresponsibilitybuthewasequaltothisburden.OpitilessFate,alwaysunjustto
virtue!{good_die_young+}Beforeyourbrothercouldknowhisownhappiness,hewas
takenfromit.ButIknowthatIexpressmyindignationpoorlyfornothingissodifficultas
tofindwordstomatchagreatsorrow.Yetonceagain,
<Ess2363>
TOPOLYBIUSONCONSOLATION,iii.4iv.1
ifwordscanbeofanyavail,letuscomplaintogether:"Whatdidyoumean,OFortune,by
beingsounjustandsoviolent?Didyourepentsoquicklyofyourformerkindness?What
crueltyisthis,tomakeyourassaultuponacompanyofbrothers,andbysuchcruel
robberytoimpoverishsolovingagroup?Didyoumeantobreakupahouseholdof
admirableyoungmensocloselyunited,nooneofwhomfellshortofhisbrothers,and
withoutanyreasontotakeonefromtheirnumber?Doesblamelessness,then,avail
nothing,thoughtestedbyeveryprinciple?oldfashionedsimplicity+,nothing?persistent
selfrestraintwhentherewasunlimitedopportunitytogainunlimitedwealth,nothing?a
sincereandsafeloveofletters,nothing?amindfreefromeverytaintofsin,nothing?
Polybiusmourns,and,warnedbythefateofonebrotherofwhathemaydread
concerningtherest,hefearsfortheverysolacesofhissorrow.Otheshame!Polybius
mournsandsufferssorrowwhileCaesarsmilesuponhim!0OunbridledFortune,clearly
whatyouaimedatwasthistoshowthatnoonecanbeprotectedagainstyouno,not
evenbyCaesar."
WecangoonblamingFatemuchlonger,changeitwecannot.Itstandsharsh
andinexorablenoonecanmoveitbyreproaches,noonebytears,noonebyhiscause
itneverletsanyoneoffnorshowsmercy.Accordinglyletusrefrainfromtears,thatprofit
nothingforsoonerwillthisgriefuniteuswiththedeadthanbringthembacktous.Andif
grieftorturesusanddoesnothelpus,weoughttolayitasideassoonaspossible,and
recallthemindfromitsemptyconsolationsandasortofmorbid
<Ess2365>
TOPOLYBIUSONCONSOLATION,iv.2v.1
pleasureingrieving.Forunlessreasonputsanendtoourtears,fortunewillnotdoso.
Come,lookaboutyou,surveyallmortalseverywherethereisampleand
constantreasonfortears.Toilsomepovertysummonsonemantohisdailytask,
neverrestingambitionharassesanotheronefearstherichesthathehadprayedfor,and
suffersfromthegrantingofhisprayerhislonelinesstormentsone,thethrongthat
besiegeshisthreshold,anotherthismanmournsbecausehehaschildren,thisone
becausehehaslostthem.Tearswillfailussoonerthanthecausesforweeping.Doyou
notseewhatsortoflifeNaturehaspromisedusshewhodecreedthatthefirstactof
manatbirthshouldbetoweep\a?{Lear+}Withsuchabeginningarewebroughtforth,
withsuchthewholeseriesoflateryearsaccords.Thuswespendourlives,andtherefore
weoughttodoinmoderationthisthingthatwemustdosooftenandaswelookback
uponthegreatmassofsorrowsthatthreatensusbehind,weought,ifnottoendour
tears,yetatanyratetokeepguardoverthem.Nothingmustbehusbandedmore
carefullythanthatofwhichthereissuchfrequentneed.
Andthisalsowillgiveyounosmallhelpifyoureflectthatthereisnoonewhois
lesspleasedbyyourgriefthanhetowhomitseemstobeofferedforheeitherdoesnot
wishyoutosuffer,ordoesnotknowthatyoudo.Thereis,therefore,nosenseinthis
service,forifhetowhomitisofferedlacks

aLucretius(v222sqq.)suppliesafamousexampleofthisancientcommonplace
seep.35,notea.Cf.Shakespeare,KingLear+,iv.6:
Whenweareborn,wecrythatwearecome
Tothisgreatstageoffools.
<Ess2367>
TOPOLYBIUSONCONSOLATION,v.24
consciousness,\aitisuseless,and,ifhehasconsciousness,itisdispleasingtohim.I
maysayboldlythatthereisnooneinthewholewideworldwhofindspleasureinyour
tears.Andwhatthen?Doyousupposethatyourbrotherhastowardsyouthedisposition
thatnooneelsedisplaysthedesirethatyoushouldwithdrawfromyourordinarytasks
thatis,fromtheservingofCaesarinordertodoharmtoyourselfbyselftorture?Thisis
notlikely.Forhealwayspaidtoyoutheloveduetoabrother,therespectduetoaparent,
andthecourtduetoasuperiorhewishestobemissedbyyou,nottocauseyou
suffering.Why,therefore,doyouchoosetopineawaywithasorrowwhich,ifthedead
haveanyconsciousness,yourbrotherdesirestohaveended?Wereitanyotherbrother,
aboutwhosegoodwilltheremightseemtobesomeuncertainty,Ishouldputallthese
thingsdoubtfully,andsay:"Ifyourbrotherdesiresthatyoubetorturedwithtearsthatnever
cease,heisunworthyofthisaffectionofyoursifhedoesnotwishthis,leaveoffthegrief
thatispainfultobothanunlovingbrotheroughtnot,andalovingbrotherwouldnotwant,
tobemournedforinthisway."Butinhiscasehisbrotherlylovehasbeensoclearly
provedthatwemustfeelsurethatnolhingcouldbemorebitterforhimthanseeingthat
thismishapofhisisbitterforyou,thatitinanywaycausesyoudistress,thattothose
eyesofyours,whichleastdeservesogreatanill,it,too,bringsbothtroubleand
exhaustionwithoutanyendofweeping.
Nothing,however,willsoeffectuallyrestrainyourlovefromsuchuselesstearsas
thethoughtthatyououghttogivetoyourbrothersanexamplebybearing
<Ess2369>
TOPOLYBIUS,CONSOLATION,v.4vi.2
thisinjusticeofFortunebravely.Thisisthewaygreatgeneralsactintimesofdisaster
theypurposelymakepretenceofcheerfulness,andconcealtheirmisfortunesbyfeigning
joy,lestthesoldiersthemselvesshouldlikewisegrowfaintheartediftheysawthespiritof
theirleaderbroken.Youalsomustnowdothesame.Assumeanexpressionthatbelies
yourfeeling,and,ifyoucan,whollycastoutallyoursorrowifnot,hideitinyourheart,and
keepitfromshowing,andmakeefforttohaveyourbrotherscopyyou,whowillthink
whatevertheyseeyoudoingtotoberight,andwilltakeheartfromyourface.Youought
tobetothemboththeircomfortandtheirconsolerbutyouwillnotbeabletochecktheir
sorrowifyouindulgeyourown.
Anditmaybethatthisalsowillkeepyoufromexcessivegriefifyouremind
yourselfthatnoneofthethingsthatyoudocanbekeptsecret.Publicopinionhas
assignedtoyouanimportantrolethisyoumustmaintain.Allyonderthrongthatyou
consolationstandsaboutyou,anditsearchesintoyourheart,anddescrieshowmuch
strengththishasinthefaceofsorrow,andwhetheryouonlyknowhowtouseprosperity
adroitly,orareablealsotobearadversitywithcourage.Theywatchyoureyes!Those
havemorelibertywhosefeelingsareabletobeconcealedyouarenotfreetohaveany
privacy.Fortunehasplacedyouinthebrightlightallpeoplewillknowhowyouhave
behavedunderthiswoundofyourswhetherthemomentyouwerestruckyoulaiddown
yourarms,orstoodyourground.LongagotheloveofCaesarliftedyoutoahigherrank,
andyourliterarypursuitshaveelevatedyou.Nothingvulgar,nothingbase
<Ess2371>
TOPOLYBIUSONCONSOLATION,vi.25
befitsyou.Yetwhatissobaseandsowomanish+astogiveoneselfovertobeutterly
consumedbysorrow?Thoughyouhaveequalgrief,youdonothavethesamelibertyas
yourbrotherstherearemanythingsthattheopinionwhichothershaveformedofyour
learningandyourcharacterdoesnotpermityoutodomendemandmuchofyou,expect
much.Ifyouwishedtobefreetodoeverything,youshouldnothaveturnedallfaces
towardyouasitis,youmustmakegoodallthatofwhichyouhavegivenpromise.All
thosewhopraisetheworksofvourgenius,whotakecopiesofthem,who,thoughthey
havenoneedofyourgreatness,haveneedofyourgenius,keepwatchonyourmind.And
thusyoucanneverdoanythingunworthyofyourclaimtobeasageandascholarwithout
makingmanyrepentoftheiradmirationforyou.Youmaynotweepbeyondmeasurenor
isthistheonlythingyoumaynotdoyoumaynoteitherprolongsleepintothehoursof
day,orfleefromtheturmoilofbusinesstotheleisureofruralrepose,orrefreshyour
body,weariedbyitsconstantguardatthepost,oftoilsomeduty,byatripabroadfor
pleasure,orengageyourmindwithavarietyofshows,orarrangeyourdayaccordingto
yourowndesire.Manythingsyoumaynotdo,whichthelowliestwretchthatliesinhis
cornermaydo.Agreatfortuneisagreatslavery+youmaynotdoanythingaccordingto
yourwish.Youmustgiveaudiencetocountlessthousandsofmen,countlesspetitionsa
mustbedisposedofsogreatisthepileofbusiness,accumulatedfromeverypartofthe
world,thatmustbecarefullyweighedinorderthatitmaybebroughttotheattentionofa
mostillustriousprinceintheproperorder.You,Isay,arenotallowedto
<Ess2373>
TOPOLYBIUS,CONSOLATION,vi.5vii.4
weepinorderthatyoumaybeabletolistentothemanywhoweepinorderthatyou
maydrythetearsofthosewhoareinperilanddesiretoobtainmercyfromCaesar's
clemeney,itisyourowntearsthatyoumustdry.Mysuggestions,sofar,dealwiththe
milderremedies,neverthelesstheywillhelpyoubutwhenyoushallwishtoforget
everythingelsethinkofCaesar.Thinkwhatloyalty,whatindustry,youowehiminreturn
forhisimperialfavourtoyouyouwillthenunderstandthatyoumaynomorebend
beneaththeburdenthanhe\aiftherereallyisanyonesuchasmythstellofwhose
shouldersupholdthesky.EvenCaesarhimself,whomaydoallthings,maynotdomany
thingsfortheverysamereason.Hiswatchfulnessguardsallmen'ssleep,histoilall
men'sease,hisindustryallmen'sdissipations,hisworkallmen'svacation.Ontheday
thatCaesardedicatedhimselftothewideworld,herobbedhimselfofhimselfandeven
astheplanets,which,unresting,everpursuetheircourses,hemayneverhaltordo
anythingforhimself.Andso,toacertaindegree,thesamenecessityisenjoinedupon
youalsoyoumaynotpayregardtoyourowninterestsortoyourbooks.WhileCaesar
ownsthewideworld,youcangivenopartofyourselfeithertopleasureorsorrowor
anythingelseyouowethewholeofyourselftoCaesar.Andbesides,sinceyoualways
declarethatCaesarisdearertoyouthanyourownlife,itisnotrightforyoutomake
complaintofFortunewhileCaesarisalive,solongasbeisalive,yourdearonesarealive
youhavelostnothing.Youreyesoughttobenotonlydry,butevenhappyinhimyou
haveallthings,hetakestheplaceofall.Ifyouallowyour
<Ess2375>
TOPOLYBIUS,CONSOLATION,vii.4viii.
selftoweepforanythingwhileheisalive,youlackgratitudeforyourgoodfortunebutthis
isveryforeigntoyoursensibleandloyaldisposition.{king's_burden+}
Further,Ishallprescribearemedythatisnotindeedsurer,butmoreprivate.
Wheneveryouretiretoyourhome,thenwillbethetimeforyoutodreadyoursadness.
Foraslongasyourdivinityisbeforeyoureyes,thatwillfindnoaccesstoyou,Caesarwill
possessallthatisinyoubutwhenyouhavelefthim,then,havingfound,asitwere,a
goodopportunity,sorrowwillheinwaitforyourloneliness,andwilllittlebylittlestealupon
yourmindwhenitisunoccupied.Andsothereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldallowanyof
yourtimetobewithouttheinterestofliterature.Thenletyourbooks,solongandso
faithfullyloved,repayyourfavour,thenletthemclaimyoufortheirhighpriestand
worshipper,thenletHomerandVirgil,towhomthehumanraceowesasmuchasthey
andallmenowetoyou,whomyouwishedtobecomeknowntoawidereirclethanthatfor
whichtheywrote,\abemuchinyourcompanythetimethatyouentrusttotheir
safeguardingwillbesafeindeed.Then,withyourbestpowers,compileanaccountofthe
deedsofyourCaesar,sothat,beingheraldedbyoneofhisownhousehold,theymaybe
repeatedthroughoutallagessince,forthefashioningandwritingofhistory,hehimself
willbestsupplyyouwithbothmatterandmodel.
Idonotventuretopushyoutothepointofputtingtogetheralso,withyour
characteristiccharm,thetalesandfablesof
AesopataskthatRomantalenthasnotyetessayed.\b
Itwouldbedifficultindeedforamindsoseverelysmittentoapproachsoquicklythis
lighterkindofliteraturenevertheless,ifitshallbe
<Ess2377>
TOPOLYBIUS,CONSOLATION,viii.3ix.3
abletopassfrommoreseriouscompositionstotheselessexactingones,youmust
countthisasproofthatithasnowrecovereditsstrengthandisitselfagain.Forinthe
caseoftheformer,theverysternnessofthesubjectwhichittreatswilldistractthemind
althoughstillsufferingandstrugglingwithitselfthelatter,whichmustbeponderedwitha
browunbent,itwillnotendureuntilithaswhollyrecovereditsnativeharmony.Yourduty,
therefore,willbefirsttogiveithardworkwithamoreserioussubject,andthentomodify
itseffortwithalighter.
Itwillalsoserveasagreatrelief,ifyouwilloftenquestionyourselfthus:"AmI
grievingonmyownaccount,oronaccountofhimwhohasdeparted?Ifonmyown
account,tisparadeofaffectionisidle,andmygrief,theonlyexcuseforwhichisthatitis
honourable,beginstoshowdefectionfrombrotherlylovewhenitlookstowardpersonal
advantagebutnothingislessbecomingtoagoodmanthantobecalculatinginhisgrief
forabrother.IfIgrieveonhisaccount,Imustdecidethatoneortheotherofthetwo
followingviewsistrue.For,ifthedeadretainnofeelingwhatever,mybrotherhasescaped
fromalltheillsoflife,andhasbeenrestoredtothatstateinwhichhehadbeenbeforehe
wasborn,and,exemptfromeveryill,hefearsnothing,desiresnothing,suffersnothing.
WhatmadnessthisisthatIshouldneverceasetogrieveforonewhowillnevergrieve
anymore!If,however,thedeaddoretainsomefeeling,atthismomentmybrother'ssoul,
released,asitwere,fromitslongimprisonment,exultstobeatlastitsownlordand
master,enjoysthespectacleofNature,andfromitshigherplacelooksdownuponall
humanthings,whileuponthings
<Ess2379>
TOPOLYBIUSONCONSOLATION,ix.36
divine,\atheexplanationofwhichithadsolongsoughtinvain,itgazeswithanearer
vision.AndsowhyshouldIpineawayinyearningforhimwhoeitherishappyordoesnot
exist?Buttoweepforonewhoishappyisenvyforonewhodoesnotexist,madness."
Orisitthisthatmovesyouthethoughtthathehasbeendeprivedofgreat
blessingsjustwhentheywereshowereduponhim?Butwhenyoureflectthatthereare
manythingswhichhehaslost,reflectalsothattherearemorewhichhenolongerfears.
Heisnotrackedbyanger,heisnotsmittenwithdisease,heisnotworriedbysuspicion,
heisnotassailedbygnawingenvythatisalwayshostiletoothermen'ssuccesses,heis
notdisquietedbyfear,heisnotalarmedbytheficklenessofFortune,whoquicklyshifts
herfavours.Ifyoucountcarefully,hehasbeensparedmorethanhehaslost.Hewillnot
enjoywealth,norfavouratcourt,hisowntogetherwithyourshewillnotreceivebenefits,
hewillnotbestowthem.Doyouthinkthatheisunhappybecausehehaslostthese
things,orhappybecausebedoesnotmissthem?Believeme,heishappierwhodoes
notneedgoodfortunethanheforwhomitisinstore.Allthosegoodswhichdelightusby
theirshowy,butdeceptive,charmmoney,standing,power,andthemanyotherthingsat
thesightofwhichthehumanrace,initsblindgreed,isfilledwithawebringtroubleto
theirpossessor,stirjealousyinthebeholder,andintheendalsocrushtheverymenthat
theyadorntheyaremoreofamenacethanagood.Theyareslipperyanduncertain,and
areneverheldhappilyforthoughthereshouldbenoanxietyaboutthefuture,yetthemere
preservationofgreatprosperityisfullofworry.Ifwearetobelievesomewho
<Ess2381>
TOPOLYBIUSONCONSOLATION,ix.6x.1
haveamoreprofoundinsightintotruth,alllifeisatorment.Plungedintothisdeepand
restlesssea,thatebbsandflowswithchangingtides,nowupliftinguswithsudden
accessionsoffortune,nowsweepingusdownwardwithgreaterlossesandflingingus
aboutincessantly,weneverstaysteadfastinoneplace,wedanglealoft,aretossedhither
andthither,collidewitheachother,andsometimessuffershipwreck,alwaysfearitfor
thosewhosailuponthissea,sostormyandexposedtoeverygale,thereisnoharbour
savedeath.Andsodonotgrudgeyourbrotherthisheisatrest.Atlastheisfree,at
lastsafe,atlastimmortal.HeleavesCaesarandallofCaesar'soffspringstillsurviving,
heleavesyousurvivingincompanywiththebrothersofyouboth.WhileFortunewasstill
standingnearhimandbestowinghergiftswithgeneroushand,heleftherbeforeshe
couldmakeanychangeinherfavour.Hedelightsnowintheopenandboundlesssky,
fromalowandsunkenregionhehasdartedalofttothatplace(whateveritbe)which
receivesinitshappyembracesoulsthatarefreedfromtheirchainsandhenowroams
there,andexploreswithsupremedelightalltheblessingsofNature.Youaremistaken
yourbrotherhasnotlostthelightofday,buthehasgainedapurerlight.Thewaythither
isthesameforusall.Whydowebemoanhisfate?Hehasnotleftus,buthasgone
before.Believeme,thereisgreathappinessintheverynecessityofdying.Wecanbe
sureofnothingnotevenforthewholeofoneday.Wherethetruthissodarkand
involved,whocandivinewhetherDeathhadagrudgeagainstyourbrotherorsoughthis
welfare?
And,suchisyourjusticeinallthings,this,too,mustgiveyoucomfortthethought
thatnowronghas
<Ess2383>
TOPOLYBIUSONCONSOLATION,x.15
beendoneyoubecauseyoulostsuchabrother,butthatafavourwasshownyou,
becauseyouwerepermittedtohaveandenjoyhisaffectionsolong.Hewhodoesnot
leavetothegiverthepoweroverhisowngiftisunfair,hewhodoesnotcountwhateverhe
receivesasgainandyetcountswhateverhegivesbackasloss,isgreedy.Hewhocalls
theendingofpleasureaninjusticeisaningratehewhothinksthatthereisnoenjoyment
fromblessingsunlesstheyarepresent,whodoesnotfindcomfortalsoinpastblessings,
anddoesnotregardthosethataregoneasmorecertainbecauseheneedhavenofear
thattheywillceasethismanisafool.Helimitshispleasurestoonarrowlywhothinks
thatheenjoysonlythosewhichhenowhasandsees,andcountshishavinghadthese
samepleasuresasnothingforeverypleasurequicklyleavesusitflowsonandpasses
byandisgonealmostbeforeitcomes,andsoourthoughtsmustbeturnedtowardstime
thathaspassed,andwhateverhasoncebroughtuspleasuremustberecalled,andwe
mustruminateoveritbyfrequentthoughttheremembranceofpleasuresismorelasting
andtrustworthythantheirreality.Countthis,then,amongyourgreatestblessinsthefact
thatyouhavehadanexcellentbrother!Thereisnoreasonforyoutothinkofhowmuch
longeryoumighthavehadhimthink,rather,ofhowlongyoudidhavehim.Naturegave
himtoyou,justasshegivestootherstheirbrothers,notasapermanentpossession,but
asaloan\awhenitseemedbesttoher,thenshetookhimback,norwassheguidedby
yourhavinghadyourfillofhim,butonlybyherownlaw.Ifanyoneshouldbeangrythathe
hashadtopaybackborrowedmoneyespeciallythatofwhich
<Ess2385>
TOPOLYBIUSONCONSOLATION,x.5xi.2
hehadtheusewithoutpayinginterestwouldhenotbeconsideredanunfairman?
Naturegaveyourbrotherhislife,shehaslikewisegivenyouyours.Ifshehasrequired
fromhimfromwhomshewanteditanearlierpaymentofherloan,shehasbutusedher
ownrightthefaultisnotwithher,forhertermswereknown,butwiththegreedyhopesof
mortalmindsthatoftenforgetwhatnature+is,andneverremembertheirownlotexcept
whentheyarereminded.Rejoice,therefore,thatyouhavehadsuchagoodbrother,and
havehadtheuseandenjoymentofhimthoughthiswasbrieferthanyouwished,countit
somuchgood.Reflectthattohavehadhimismostdelightfultohavelosthim,the
humanlot.{common+}Fornothingislessconsistentthanforamantogrievebecausehe
didnothavelongenoughtheblessingofsuchabrother,andnottorejoicebecause,after
all,suchablessinghadoncebeenhis."But,"yousay,"hewassnatchedfromme
unexpectedly."Everymanisdeceivedbyhisowncredulity,andinthecaseofthose
whomheloveshewilfullyforgetsmortality+.YetNaturehasmadeitclearthatshewill
exemptnomanfromhersternlaw.Everydaythefuneralsofacquaintancesand
strangerspassbybeforeoureyes,we,nevertheless,paynoheed,andwecountthat
eventassuddenofwhosecomingthewholeoflifehasgivenuswarning.This,therefore,
isnottheinjusticeofFate,buttheperversityofthehumanmindthat,withitsinsatiable
greedforallthings,chafesatleavingaplacetowhichitwasadmittedonsufferance.
Howmuchmorerighteouswashewho,ontheannouncementofthedeathofhis
son,utteredthewords,worthyofagreatman:"WhenIbegathim,Iknewthenthathe
would
<Ess2387>
TOPOLYBIUSONCONSOLATION,xi.25die.\aWeneednotbeatallsurprisedthatthe
sonofsuchamanwasonewhowasabletodiebravely.Hedidnotreceivethenewsof
thedeathofhissonasastrangethingforwhyisitsurprisingthatmanshoulddiewhen
hiswholelifeisnothingbutajourneytowardsdeath?"WhenIbegathim,Iknewthenthat
hewoulddie,"hesaid.Andthenheaddedsomewordsthatshowevengreaterwisdom
andcourage:"AnditwasforthisthatIrearedhim."Itisforthisthatweallarereared
everymanwhoisbroughtintolifeisappointedtodie.Letusrejoice,therefore,inwhatever
shallbegivenus,andletusreturnitwhenweareaskedforit.TheFateswillseizeoneat
onetime,anotheratanothertheywillpassnomanby.Letthemind,then,standin
readiness,andletitneverfearwhatevermustbe,letitalwaysexpectwhatevermaybe.,
WhyneedItellyouofgeneralsandtheoffspringofgenerals,ofmenfamousfor
theirmanyconsulshipsormanytriumphs,whohavefinishedtheirappointedlot?Whole
kingdomswiththeirkingsandpeopleswiththeirrulershavemettheirfateallmen,nay,all
things,looktowardtheirlastday.Theydonotallhavethesameendlifeforsakesonein
themiddleofhiscareer,itleavesanotherattheveryentrance,andanotheritreluctantly
releasesinextremeoldagewhenheisnowwornoutandeagertodepartonegoesat
onetime,anotheratanother,yetwearealltravellingtowardthesameplace.Iknownot
whetheritismorefoolishtobeignorantofthelawofmortality,ormorepresumptuousto
refusetoobeyit.
Turn,now,tothosepoemswhichtheeffortsofourgeniushavemadefamousand
whichyouhaveturnedintoprosewithsuchskillthat,thoughtheirformhas
<Ess2389>
TOPOLYBIUS,CONSOLATION,xi.5xii.2
disappeared,they,nevertheless,retainalltheircharm(foryouhavesoperformedthe
mostdifficulttaskoftransferringthemfromonelanguagetoanotherthatalltheirmerits
havefollowedthemintotheforeignspeech)takeintoyourhandswhicheverofthetwo
authorsyouplease,andyouwillfindthatthereisnotasinglebookoftheirwritingswhich
doesnotsupplynumberlessexamplesofthevicissitudesofhumanlife,ofunexpected
misfortunes,andoftearsthatforonereasonoranotherhavebeenmadetoflow.Read
withwhatgreatvigouryouhavethunderedinmightywordssuddenlytobreakdownand
fallshortofsuchgrandeurofutterancewillmakeyoublush.Letitnothappenthatevery
onewhoadmiredyourwritingsasamodelshouldwonderhowaspiritsoeasilybroken
producedsuchmightyandsubstantialworks.
Doyouturn,rather,fromthethoughtsthattortureyoutothemanyandgreat
sourcesofconsolationyouhave,andlookuponyouradmirablebrothers,lookuponyour
wife,lookuponyoursonitisforalltheirlivesthatFortunehassettledwithyouforthis
partialpayment.Youhavemanyonwhoseaffectiontorest.Saveyourselffromthe
shameofhavingeverybodythinkthatyourgriefforonecountsformorethanthesemany
sourcesofcomfort.
Youseethattheyallhavebeensmittenalongwithyou,andyouknowthattheyare
notabletocometoyourrescuenay,eventhattheyontheirpartareexpectingtobe
rescuedbyyouand,therefore,thelesstheirlearning,thelesstheirabilitythanyours,the
morenecessaryitisforyoutowithstandthecommon+misfortune.Moreover,toshare
one'sgriefwithmanyisinitselfakindofconsolationbecause,ifitisdistributedamong
many,thepartthatisleftbehindwithyoumustbesmall.
<Ess2391>
TOPOLYBIUS,CONSOLATION,xii.3xiii.1
IshallnotceasetoconfrontyouoverandoveragainwithCaesar.Whilehegovernsthe
earth,whileheshowshowmuchbetteritistosafeguardtheempirebybenefitsthanby
arms,whilehepresidesoverhumanaffairs,thereisnodangerofyourfeelingthatyou
havesufferedanylossinthisonesourceyouhaveampleprotection,ampleconsolation.
Liftyourselfup,andeverytimethattearswellupinyoureyes,fixtheseuponCaesarat
thesightoftheexceedinggreatnessandsplendourofhisdivinitytheywillbedriedhis
brilliancewilldazzlethemsothattheywillbeabletoseenothingelse,andwillkeepthem
fasteneduponhimself.He,whomyoubeholddayandnight,fromwhomyouneverlower
yourthoughts,mustfillyourmind,hemustbesummonedtoyourhelpagainstFortune.
And,sogreatishiskindnesssogreatishisgraciousfavourtowardallfollowers,Idonot
doubtthathehasalreadycoveredoverthiswoundofyourswithmanybalms,thathehas
alreadysuppliedmanythingstostayyoursorrow.Besides,eventhoughhehasdone
noneofthesethings,arenottheverysightandmerelythethoughtofCaesar,in
themselves,forthwithtoyoutheverygreatestcomfort?Maygodsandgoddesseslend
himlongtoearth!Mayherivaltheachievements,mayhesurpasstheyears,ofthedeified
Augustus!Solongasheshalllingeramongmortals,mayhenotlearnthataughtofhis
houseismortal!Bylongproofmayhecommendhisson\aasrulertotheRoman
Empireandseehimhisfather'sconsorterethatheishissuccessor!Latebetheday
andknownonlytoourgrandchildrenonwhichhiskindredclaimhimfortheskies!From
him,OFortune,refrainthyhands,andinhiscasedisplaynotthypowersaveinthatpart
wherethou
<Ess2393>
TOPOLYBIUSONCONSOLATION,xiii.14
dostbenefit.Sufferhimtohealthehumanrace,thathaslongbeensickandinevilcase,
sufferhimtorestoreandreturnallthingstotheirplaceoutofthehavocthemadnessof
theprecedingprince\ahaswrought!Maythissun,whichhassheditslightuponaworld
thathadplungedintotheabyssandwassunkindarkness,evershine!Mayhebring
peacetoGermany,openupBritain,\aandcelebrateagainbothhisfather'striumphsand
newones!Andhismercy,whichinthelistofhisvirtuesholdsthechiefplace,raisesthe
hopethatoftheseIalsoshallnotfailtobeaspectator.Forhehasnotcastmedownwith
nothoughtofeverliftingmeupnay,hehasnotevencastmedown,butwhenIhadbeen
smittenbyFortuneandwasfalling,hecheckedmyfall,and,usingthemitigatingpowerof
hisdivinehand,heletmedowngentlywhenIwasplungingtodestructionhebesought
thesenateinmybehalf,andnotonlygavememylife,butevenbeggedit.\cBehisthe
carehowsoeverheshallwish,suchlethimaccountmycase.Leteitherhisjustice
discernthatitisgood,orhismercymakeitgoodwhetherheshalldiscernthatIam
innocent,orshallwishmetobesoeither,inmyeyes,willequallyshowhiskindness.
Meanwhile,thegreatconsolationofmyownwretchednessistoseehiscompassion
spreadingoverthewholeworldandsinceeveninthisremotecorner,inwhichIam
planted,hismercyhasunearthedmanywhowereburiedunderadownfallthatcamelong
yearsago,andhasrestoredthemtolight,IdonotfearthatIshallbetheonlyoneitwill
passby.Buthehimselfknowsbestthetimeatwhichheoughttocometoeachman's
rescueI,formypart,shallstrivethatheshouldnotblushtocometomine.Ohow
bIessedisyourmercy,

cThesedetailsofSeneca'smishaparenotknownfromanyothersource.The
causeofhisbanishmentwasareputedintriguewithJulia,thenotorioussisterofCaligula
(CassiusDio,lx8.5).
<Ess2395>
TOPOLYBIUS,CONSOLATION,xiii.4xiv.3
Caesar,whichmakesexileslivemorepeacefullyunderyourrulethandidprincesrecently
undertheruleofGaius!Theyarenotuneasy,nordotheyexpecttheswordhourbyhour,
norcoweratthesightofeveryshipthroughyoutheypossessnotonlyalimittothe
crueltyofFortune,butalsothehopeofherbeingmorekindlyandpeaceevenassheis.
Onemayknowthatthosethunderboltsareindeedmostjustwhicheventhosetheyhave
smittenworship.Andsothisprince,whoistheuniversalconsolationofallmankind,has
already,ifIamnotaltogethermistaken,revivedyourspiritandappliedthemorepotent
remediestoawoundsoserious.Hehasalreadystrengthenedyouineverywayby
reasonofhismostretentivememoryhehasalreadypresentedtoyoualltheexamples
whichcouldbringyourmindtoastateofequanimitywithhishabitualeloquencehehas
alreadysetbeforeyouthepreceptsofallthesages.Thereisnoone,therefore,who
couldbetterhaveappropriatedtheserolesofthecomforter.Words,whenhespeaks,
have,asiftheutterancesofanoracle,adifferentweighthisdivineauthoritywilldullallthe
sharpnessofyourgrief.Think,then,thathespeakstoyouinthesewords."Youarenot
theonlyonewhomFortunehaspickedouttoafflictwithaninjurysogrievousthereisno
familyinalltheearth,norhasthereeverbeenone,thathasnoonetomournfor.
{common+}Iwillpassoverexamplesfromthemasses,which,whiletheyhaveless
weight,areneverthelesscountlessIwilldirectyoutotheCalendar\aandtheState
Chronicles.SeeyoualltheseportraitbuststhatfillthehalloftheCaesars?Everyone
ofthesemenismarkedbysomeillthatbefelltheirdearoneseveryone,too,ofthose
men
<Ess2397>
TOPOLYBIUS,CONSOLATION,xiv.3xv.1
whoseglorylightsuptheageswaseithertorturedwithyearningfordearones,orwas
yearnedforbydearoneswithbitteresttortureofmind."WhyneedIremindyouofScipio
Africanus,wholearnedofthedeathofhisbrotherwhilehehimselfwasinexile?The
brotherwhosnatchedhisbrother\afromprisonwasnotabletosnatchhimfromFate.
AndAfricanus'sbrotherlylovemadeitcleartoallhowimpatienthewasofequalrights\b
foronthesamedayonwhichhehadrescuedhisbrotherfromthehandsofa
courtsummoner,healso,thoughheheldnooffice,interferedwiththeactsofatribuneof
thepeople.Yetheshowedasmuchgreatnessofspiritinhisgriefforhisbrotherashe
hadshowninhisdefence.WhyneedIremindyouofScipioAemilianus,\cwhoviewedthe
triumphofhisfatherandthefuneralsofhistwobrothersatalmostthesametime?
Nevertheless,amereyouthandhardlymorethanaboy,heborethatsuddendesolation,
whichbefellhisownfamilycloseuponthetriumphofPaulus,withallthecouragethat
becameaman,borntotheendthataScipiomightnotfail,orCarthageoutlive,thecityof
Rome."WhyneedIremindyouofthetwoLuculli,whoseconcordwasbrokenonlyby
death?OrofthePompeys,towhomcruelFortunedidnotevengrantthattheyshould
perishtogetherinthesamedisaster?SextusPompeius,inthefirstplace,survivedhis
sistere\dbywhosedeaththecloselyknitbondsofpeacebetweentheRomanswere
broken,andhe|
|
Scipio,betterknownasAfricanustheyounger,destroyedCarthagein146B.C.dFrom
whatfollows,SenecaseemstohaveconfusedPompeia,sisterofSextus,withJulia,
daughterofCaesarandwifeoftheelderPompey.
<Ess2399>
TOPOLYBIUSONCONSOLATION,xv.14
likewisesurvivedhisexcellentbrother,whomFortunehadraisedaloftfortheverypurpose
ofhurlinghimdownfromapinnaclenotlesshighthanthatfromwhichshehadhurledhis
fatherandyet,evenafterthismisfortune,SextusPompeiussustainedtheburden,not
onlyofgrief,butalsoofwar.Theexamplesthataresuppliedfromeverysideofbrothers
whowereseparatedbydeathareinnumerablenay,almostneverhavepairsofbrothers
beenseenwhoweregrowingoldtogether.ButIshallbecontentwithexamplesfrommy
ownfamilyfornoonewillbesodevoidoffeelingandgoodsenseastocomplainthat
Fortunehasbroughtgriefuponanywhenheknowsthatshehascovetedthetearsof
eventheCaesars.
ThedeifiedAugustuslosthisdarlingsisterOctavia,andnotevenwashe,whom
Naturehaddestinedforheaven,madeexemptfromthenecessityofmourningnay,he
washarassedbyeverysortofbereavement,and,whenhehadplannedtomakehis
sister'ssonhisownsuccessor,helosthim.Infine,nottomentionhissorrowsoneby
one,helosthissonsinlawaandhischildrenandhisgrandchildren,and,whilehe
lingeredamongmen,nooneofallmortalshadclearerevidencethathewasaman.
Nevertheless,hisheartthatwasabletobearallthingsborebravelythesemanydeep
afflictions,andthedeifiedAugustusrosevictor,notonlyoverforeignnations,butalsoover
sorrows."GaiusCaesar,grandsonofthedeifiedAugustus,mygreatuncle,whenhewas
intheearlyyearsofmanhood,losthisbelovedbrotherLuciusPrinceoftheRoman
Youth,\bhelosta'Prince'ofthatsameyouthintheverymidstofhispreparationforthe
<Ess2401>
TOPOLYBIUS,CONSOLATION,xv.4xvi.2
ParthianWar,andhesufferedmuchmoredeeplyfromthiswoundofthemindthanhedid
laterfromthewoundofhisbodyyetheborebothmostrighteouslyandbravely.
"TiberiusCaesar,myuncle,losthisyoungerbrotherDrususGermanicus,my
father,justwhenhewasopeninguptheremotepartsofGermany,andwasbringingthe
fiercesttribesunderthepowerofRome,and,holdinghiminhisarms,hegavehimalast
kiss.Yet,notonlyforhimselfbutforothers,hesetalimituponmourning,andwhenthe
wholearmywasnotonlydisconsolatebutevendistraught,andclaimedthebodyofthe
lovedDrususforitself,heforcedittoreturntotheRomanfashionofmourning,andruled
thatdisciplinemustbemaintained,notonlyinfighting,butalsoingrieving.Buthewould
nothavebeenabletocheckthetearsofothersifhehadnotfirstrepressedhisown.
"MarkAntony,mygrandfather,secondtononesavehisconqueror,receivedthenewsof
hisbrother'sexecutionjustatthetimewhenhewassettingthestateinorder,andwhen,
asamemberofthetriumvirate,\ahebeheldnomanabovehimnay,withtheexception
ofhistwocolleagues,sawallmenbeneathhim.OunbridledFortune,whatsport{flies+}
dostthoumakeforthyselfoutofhumanills.AttheverytimeatwhichMarkAntonysat
enthronedwiththepoweroflifeanddeathoverhisowncountrymen,thebrotherofMark
Antonywasbeingorderedtoexecution!YetsuchabitterwoundwasbornebyMark
Antonywiththesameloftinessofspiritwithwhichhehadenduredallhisotheradversities,
andthiswashismourningtogivesacrificetotheshadeofhisbrotherwiththebloodof
twentylegions\b!
<Ess2403>
TOPOLYBIUSONCONSOLATION,xvi.36
"Buttopassoveralletherexamples,tobesilentconcerningtheotherdeaths,eveninmy
owncasealsotwicehasFortuneassailedmethroughmygriefasabrother,twicehas
shelearnedthatImightbeinjured,butthatIcouldnotbeconquered.Ilostmybrother
Germanicus,andhowmuchIlovedhimallthoseassuredlyunderstandwhoconsiderhow
brothers,whohavetrueaffection,lovetheirbrothersyetIsoruledmyfeelingsthatI
neitherleftanythingundonethatoughttohavebeenrequiredofalovingbrother,nordid
anythingthataprincecouldhavebeencensuredfordoing."
Consider,therefore,thatthesearetheexamplestheFatheroftheStatecitesfor
you,andthathealsoshowshownothingissacredandinviolabletoFortune,whohas
daredtoleadfuneralsfromthosehouseholdswhenceshewastoseekgods.Andsolet
nomanbesurprisedatanycruelorunjustactofhersforisitpossiblethatshe,whose
insatiatecrueltyhassooftendesolatedtheveryseatsofthegods,shouldknowany
justiceorselfrestraintinherdealingswithprivatefamilies?Thoughweheapreproach
uponher,voicingnotmerelyourownprotest,butthatofallmen,shewillnotbechanged
shewillworkherwilldespiteallentreaties,despiteallcomplaints.Suchhasfortuneever
beeninhumanaffairs,suchwillsheeverbe.Nothinghassheeverleftundared,nothing
willsheeverleaveuntriedinviolentragewillsherangethroughallplacesjustashas
alwaysbeenherwont,shewho,oninjurybent,hasdaredtoentereventhosehouses
whoseentranceliesthroughthetemplesofthegods,\aandshewilldrapethelaurelled
doorswiththegarbofmourning.Ifshehasnotyetresolvedtodestroyutterlythehuman
race,
<Ess2405>
TOPOLYBIUS,CONSOLATION,xvi.6xvii.3
ifshestilllookswithfavouruponthenameofRoman,maywebypublicvowsandprayers
obtainfromherthisoneconcessionthatthisprince,whohasbeengrantedtothefallen+
estateofmankind,shouldbeheldassacredbyherasheisbyallmortalmen!Lether
learnmercyfromhim,andtothekindestofallprincesletherbecomekind!
AndsoyououghttoturnyoureyesuponallthesethosewhomIhavejust
mentionedaseitherenrolledintheskiesorsoonsotobeandsubmitcalmlytoFortune,
whonowlaysalsouponyouthehandsthatshedoesnotwithholdevenfromthoseby
whosenamesweswearyoumustimitatethefirmnessoftheseinenduringand
conqueringsorrows,sofarasitispermissibleforamantofollowinthefootstepsofthe
gods.Althoughinothermatterstherearegreatdistinctionsofrankandbirth,virtueis
accessibletoallshedeemsnomanunworthyifonlyhedeemshimselfworthyofher.
Surelyyoucannotdobetterthanimitatethosewho,thoughtheymighthavebeen
indignantthateventheywerenotexemptfromthisevil,yetdecidedthatitwasnot
injustice,butthelawofmortality,thatinthisonerespectputthemonalevelwiththerest
ofmankind,andenduredwhathadbefallenthemneitherwithtoomuchbitternessand
wrath,norinaweakandwomanly+fashionforitisnothumannottofeelmisfortunes,
anditisnotmanlynottobearthem.
Andyet,sinceIhaverunthroughtherollofalltheCaesarsfromwhomFortune
snatchedbrothersandsisters,Icannotpassbytheonewhosenameoughttobetorn
fromverylistoftheCaesars,whomNatureproducedtobetheruinandtheshameofthe
humanrace,whoutterlywastedandwreckedthe
<Ess2407>
TOPOLYBIUS,CONSOLATION,xvii.3xviii.1
empirethatisnowbeingrestoredbythemercyofthekindliestofprinces.Havinglosthis
sisterDrusilla,GaiusCaesar,amanwhocouldnomoreindulgehisgriefthanhis
pleasureinprincelyfashion,fledthesightandsocietyofhisfellowmen,didnotattendthe
funeralofhissister,didnotpaytohissistertheordinarytributes,butinhisvillaatAlbahe
triedtorelievehisdistressatherdeeplyregretteddeathwithdiceandgamingboardand
othercommonengrossmentsofthissort.Whatadisgracetotheempire!Gamblingwas
thesolaceofaRomanprincemourningforhissister!AndthissameGaiuswithmad
caprice,sometimesallowinghisbeardandhairtogrow,sometimesshearingthemclose,
wanderingaimlesslyalongthecoastofItalyandSicily,andneverquitesurewhetherhe
wishedhissistertobelamentedorworshipped,duringthewholetimethathewasrearing
templesandshrines\atohermemorywouldinflictthemostcruelpunishmentuponthose
whohadnotshownsufficientsorrow\bforhewasbearingtheblowsofadversitywiththe
samelackofselfrestraintfromwhich,whenpuffedupbyprosperity,hewasswollenwith
pridebeyondallhumandecency.FarbeitfromeverymanlyRomantofollowsuchan
exampleeithertodiverthissorrowbyuntimelyamusements,ortoencourageitby
disgracefulneglectandsqualor,ortoseekreliefbythatmostinhumanofconsolations,
thecausingofsufferingtoothers.
You,however,needmakenochangeinyourhabits,since,indeed,youhave
taughtyourselftolovethosestudieswhichmostfittinglyexaltprosperityandmosteasily
lessencalamity,andareatthesametimeboththegreatestadornmentsandthegreatest
comforts
<Ess2409>
TOPOLYBIUS,ONCONSOLATION,xvill.14
forman.Now,therefore,buryyourselfmoredeeplyinyourstudies,nowencircleyourself
withthemasbulwarksforyourmindinorderthatsorrowmayfindnopointthatwillgive
entrancetoyou.And,too,prolongtheremembranceofyourbrotherbysomememorialin
yourwritingsforamonghumanachievementsthisistheonlyworkthatnostormcan
harmnorlengthoftimedestroy.Allothers,thosethatareformedbypilingupstonesand
massesofmarble,orrearingonhighhugemoundsofearth,donotsecurealong
remembrance,fortheythemselveswillalsoperishbutthefameofgeniusisimmortal.
Doyoulavishsuchuponyourbrother,insuchembalmhisname.Itwillbebetterforyou
toimmortalizehimbyyourgeniusthatwillliveforeverthanmournforhimwithasorrow
thatisfutile.
SofarasconcernsFortuneherself,evenifitisimpossiblejustnowtopleadher
casebeforeyouforeverythingthatshehasgivenusishatefultoyoumerelyforthe
reasonthatshehassnatchedonethingfromyouyettherewillbeneedtopleadher
caseassoonaslapseoftimeshallhavemadeyouamoreimpartialjudgeforthenyou
willbeabletorestorehertofavour.Forshehasprovidedmanythingstooffsetthis
injusticeshewillstillgiveyoumanythingstomakeatonementforitindeedthisverything
thatshehasnowwithdrawnshehadherselfgiven.Refuse,therefore,toemployyour
talentagainstyourself,refusetogivesupporttoyoursorrow.Foritispossibleforyour
eloquencetomakehiingsthatarereallysmallseemimportant,and,ontheotherhand,to
minimizeimportantthingsandreducethemtomeresttriflesbutletitkeeptheformerkind
ofpowerforanotheroccasionjust
<Ess2411>
TOPOLYBIUSONCONSOLATION,xviii.48
nowletitdirectallitsefforttowardgivingyoucomfort.Andyetconsiderwhethereventhis
benotbythistimesuperfluousforNaturerequiresfromussomesorrow,whilemore
thanthisistheresultofvanity.ButneverwillIdemandofyouthatyoushouldnotgrieveat
all.AndIwellknowthatsomemenaretobefoundwhosewisdomisharshratherthan
brave,whodenythatthewisemanwillevergrieve.\aButthese,itseemstome,can
neverhavefallenuponthissortofmishapiftheyhad,Fortunewouldhaveknockedtheir
proudphilosophyoutofthem,and,evenagainsttheirwill,haveforcedthemtoadmitthe
truth.Reasonwillhaveaccomplishedenoughifonlysheremovesfromgriefwhateveris
excessiveandsuperfluousitisnotforanyonetohopeortodesirethatsheshouldsuffer
ustofeelnosorrowatall.Ratherlethermaintainameanwhichwillcopyneither
indifferencenormadness,andwillkeepusinthestatethatisthemarkofanaffectionate,
andnotanunbalanced,mind.Letyourtearsflow,butletthemalsocease,letdeepest
sighsbedrawnfromyourbreast,butletthemalsofindanendsoruleyourmindthatyou
maywinapprovalbothfromwisemenandfrombrothers.Makeyourselfwillingto
encounteroftthememoryofyourbrother,bothtospeakofhimfrequentlyinyour
conversation,andtopicturehimtoyourselfbyconstantremembrance,allofwhichyou
willbeabletoaccomplishonlyifyoumakethethoughtofhimmorepleasantthantearful
foritisonlynaturalthatthemindshouldalwaysshrinkfromasubjecttowhichitreverts
withsadness.Thinkofhismodesty,thinkofhisalertnessintheactivitiesoflife,ofhis
diligenceinperformingthem,ofhisstead
<Ess2413>
TOPOLYBIUSONCONSOLATION,xviii.89
fastnesstopromises.Setforthallhiswordsanddeedstoothersanddoyouyourself
recallthemtomind.Thinkwhathewas,andwhathemighthavebeenexpectedto
become.Forwhatguaranteecouldnothavebeensafelygivenconcerningsucha
brother?
Ihaveputthesethingstogether,asbestIcould,withamindnowweakenedand
dulledbylongrusting.Iftheyshallseemtoyoutobeillsuitedtoyourintelligence,ortoill
supplythehealingofyoursorrow,reflecthowhewhoisheldfastinthegripofhisown
misfortunesisnotatleisuretocomfortothers,andhowLatinwordsdonotsuggest
themselvesreadilytooneinwhoseearstheuncouthjargonofbarbariansiseverringing,
distressingeventothemorecivilizedbarbarians.

<Ess2415>
\
DECONSOLATIONEADHELVIAM+
BOOKXII
TOHELVIAHISMOTHERONCONSOLATION
OFTEN,mybestofmothers,Ihavefelttheimpulsetosendyouconsolation,\aand
asoftenIhavecheekedit.Themotivesthaturgedmetobesoboldweremany.Inthe
firstplace,IthoughtthatIshouldlayasideallmytroubleswhen,eventhoughIcouldnot
stopyourweeping,Ihadmeanwhileatleastwipedawayyourtearsagain,IfeltsurethatI
shouldhavemorepowertoraiseyouup,ifIhadfirstarisenfrommyowngriefbesides,I
wasafraidthatFortune,thoughvanquishedbyme,mightstillvanquishsomeonedearto
me.Andso,placingmyhandovermyowngash,IwastryingasbestIcouldtocreep
forwardtobindupyourwounds.Ontheotherhand,therewerereasonswhichmademe
delayasregardsmypurpose.IknewthatIoughtnottointrudeuponyourgriefwhileits
violencewasfresh,lestmyverycondolencesshouldirritateandinflameitforinbodilyills
alsonothingismoreharmfulthananuntimelyuseofmedicine.Iwaswaiting,therefore,
untilyourgriefshouldofitselfsubdueitsviolence,anditssoreness,soothedbytime

aWritinginphilosophicserenityfromhisplaceofexile,Senecaseekstoallayhis
mother'sgriefatthemishapthathasbefallenhim.Afterherwidowhoodsheseemsto
havelivedwithherfatherInSpain(ch18.9),buthad,apparently,visitedRomeshortly
beforeherson'sbanishment(ch16.3).
<Ess2417>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,i.2ii.2
totolerateremedies,shouldsubmittobeingtouchedandhandled.
Moreover,althoughIunrolledalltheworks"thatthemostfamouswritershad
composedforthepurposeofrepressingandcontrollingsorrow,notoneinstancedidIfind
ofamanwhohadofferedconsolationtohisdearoneswhenhehimselfwasbewailedby
themthus,inanovelsituationIfaltered,andIfearedthatmywordsmightsupply,not
consolation,butanaggravation.Andbesides,amanwhowasliftinghisheadfromthe
verybiertocomforthisdearoneswhatneedhewouldhaveofwordsthatwerenewand
notdrawnfromthecommonandeverydayformsofcondolence!Buttheverygreatness
ofeverygriefthatpassesboundsmustnecessarilysnatchawaythepowerofchoosing
words,sinceoftenitchokeseventhevoiceitself.YetIshalltryasbestIcan,notbecause
Ihaveconfidenceinmyeloquence,butbecausethemerefactthatImyselfamabletoact
ascomfortermayamounttomosteffectivecomfort.Youwhocouldrefusemenothing,
willsurelynot,Ihope,refusemealthoughallsorrowisstubbornyourconsenttomy
settingboundstoyourgrieving.
SeehowgreatathingIhavepromisedtomyselffromyourindulgence.Idonot
doubtthatIshallhavemorepoweroveryouthanyourgrief,thoughthereisnothingthat
hasmorepoweroverthewretched.Andso,thatImaynotjoinbattlewithitimmediately,I
shallfirstupholdit,andbelavishwithwhatwillencourageitIshallexposeandtearopen
allthewoundsthathavealreadyclosedover.Butsomeonewillsay:"Whatsortof
consolationisthis,torecallillsthatareblottedoutandtosetthemind,whenitisscarcely
abletobearonesorrow,infull
<Ess2419>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,ii.25
viewofallitssorrows?"Butlethimreflectthatwheneverdiseasesbecomesomalignant
thattheygrowstronginspiteoftreatmenttheyarethencommonlytreatedbyopposite
methods.AndsotothestrickenmindIshallexhibitallitsdistresses,allitsgarbsofwoe
mypurposewillbenottohealbygentlemeasures,buttocauterizeandcut.Andwhat
shallIgain?Ishallcauseaheartthathasbeenvictoriousoversomanyafflictionstobe
ashamedtobewailonewoundthemoreuponabodysomarkedwithscars.Letthose,
therefore,whosepamperedmindshavebeenweakenedbylonghappiness,weepand
moancontinuously,andfaintawayatthethreatoftheslightestinjurybutletthosewhose
yearshaveallbeenpassedinasuccessionofcalamitiesendureeventheheaviestblows
withstrongandunwaveringresolution.Constantmisfortunebringsthisoneblessing,that
thosewhomitalwaysassails,itatlastfortifies.
ToyouFortunehasnevergivenanyrespitefromtheheaviestwoesshedidnot
excepteventhedayofyourbirth.Youlostyourmotherassoonasyouhadbeenborn,
nay,whileyouwerebeingborn,andenteringlifeyoubecame,asitwere,anoutcast.\a
Yougrewupunderastepmother,butbyyourcompleteobedienceanddevotionasgreat
ascanbeseeneveninadaughteryouforcedhertobecomeatruemothernevertheless
everychildhaspaidagreatpriceevenforagoodstepmother.Mymostlovinguncle,\ban
excellentandverybraveman,youlostjustwhenyouwereawaitinghisarrival,and,lest
Fortunebydividinghercrueltyshouldmakeitlighter,withinthirtydaysyouburiedyour
dearesthusband,whohadmadeyoutheproudmotherof
<Ess2421>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,ii.5iv.1
threechildren.Thisblowwasannouncedwhenyouwerealreadymourning,when,too,all
ofyourchildrenwereabsent,justasifyourmisfortuneshadbeenconcentratedintothat
periodpurposelyinorderthatyourgriefmightfindnothingtorestupon.Ipassoverthe
countlessdangers,thecountlessfearswhichyouhaveendured,thoughtheyassailedyou
withoutcessation.Butlatelyintotheselfsamelapfromwhichyouhadletthree
grandchildrengo,youtookbackthebonesofthreegrandchildren.Lessthantwentydays
afteryouhadburiedmyson,whodiedinyourarmsandamidyourkisses,youheardthatI
hadbeensnatchedfromyou.Thismisfortuneyouhadstilllackedtomourntheliving.
Ofallthewoundsthathaveevergonedeepintoyourbody,thislatestone,Iadmit,isthe
mostseriousithasnotmerelytorntheouterskin,butpiercedyourverybreastandvitals.
Butjustasrawrecruitscryoutevenwhentheyareslightlywounded,andshuddermore
atthehandsofsurgeon'sthantheydoatthesword,whileveterans,thoughdeeply
wounded,submitpatientlyandwithoutagroantothecleansingoftheirfesteredbodies
justasifthesewerenottheirown,sonowyououghttoofferyourselfbravelytobehealed.
Butawaywithlamentationsandoutcriesandtheotherdemonstrationsbymeansof
whichwomen+usuallyventtheirnoisygriefforyouhavemissedthelessonofsomany
illsifyouhavenotyetlearnedhowtobewretched.DoIseemtohavedealtwithyounow
withoutfear?NotasingleoneofyourmisfortuneshaveIhiddenawayIhaveplacedthem
allbeforeyouinaheap.
InaheroicspirithaveIdonethisforIhavedeterminedtoconqueryourgrief,notto
dupeit.And
<Ess2423>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,iv.1v.2
tooIshallconquerit,Ithink,if,inthefirstplace,Ishowthatthereisnothinginmycondition
thatcouldcauseanyonetocallmewretched,stilllesscausethosealsotowhomIam
relatedtobewretchedonmyaccountand,secondly,ifIturnnexttoyou,andprovethat
yourfortunealso,whichdependswhollyuponmine,isnotapainfulone.
Firstofall,Ishallproceedtoprovewhatyourlove{pietas+}iseagertohearthatI
amsufferingnoill.IfIcan,Ishallmakeitclearthatthoseverycircumstances,whichyour
lovefanciesweighmedown,arenotintolerable,butifitwillbeimpossibleforyouto
believethis,I,atanyrate,shallbebetterpleasedwithmyselfifIshowthatIamhappy
undercircumstancesthatusuallymakeotherswretched.Youarenotaskedtobelieve
thereportofothersaboutmethatyoumaynotbeatalldisturbedbyungrounded
suppositions,ImyselfinformyouthatIamnotunhappy.Thatyoumaybethemore
assured,Iwilladd,too,thatIcannotevenbemadeunhappy.
Wearebornunderconditionsthatwouldbefavourableifonlywedidnotabandon
them.Natureintendedthatweshouldneednogreatequipmentforlivinghappilyeach
oneofusisabletomakehisownhappiness.Externalthingsareofslightimportance,
andcanhavenogreatinfluenceineitherdirection.Prosperitydoesnotexaltthewise
man,nordoesadversitycasthimdownforhehasalwaysendeavouredtorelyentirely
uponhimself,{self_reliance+}toderiveallofhisjoyfromhimself.What,then?DoIsay
thatIamawiseman?BynomeansforifIcouldmakethatclaim,Ishouldtherebynot
onlydenythatIamunhappy,butshouldalsodeclarethatIamthemostfortunateofall
menandhadbeenbroughtinto
<Ess2425>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,v.26
nearnesswithGod.Asitis,fleeingtothatwhichisabletolightenallsorrows,Ihave
surrenderedmyselftowisemenand,notyetbeingstrongenoughtogiveaidtomyself,I
havetakenrefugeinthecamp\aofothersofthose,clearly,whocaneasilydefend
themselvesandtheirfollowers.Theyhaveorderedmetostandeverwatching,likea
soldierplacedonguard,andtoanticipatealltheattemptsandalltheassaultsofFortune
longbeforeshestrikes.Herattackfallsheavyonlywhenitissuddenheeasily
withstandsherwhoalwaysexpectsher.Forthearrivaltoooftheenemylayslowonly
thosewhomitcatchesoffguardbutthosewhohavemadereadyforthecomingwar
beforeitarrives,fullyformedandreadyarmed,easilysustainthefirstimpact,whichis
alwaysthemostviolent.NeverhaveItrustedFortune,evenwhensheseemedtobe
offeringpeacetheblessingsshemostfondlybestoweduponmemoney,office,and
influenceIstoredalloftheminaplacefromwhichshecouldtakethembackwithout
disturbingme.BetweenthemandmeIhavekeptawidespaceandsoshehasmerely
takenthem,nottornthem,fromme.NomaniscrushedbyhostileFortune+whoisnot
firstdeceivedbyhersmiles.Thosewholovehergiftsisiftheyweretheirveryownand
lasting,whodesiretobeesteemedonaccountofthem,grovelandmournwhenthefalse
andfickledelightsforsaketheirempty,childishminds,thatareignorantofeverystable
pleasurebuthewhoisnotpuffedupbyhappyfortunedoesnotcollapsewhenitis
reversed.Themanoflongtestedconstancy,whenfacedwitheithercondition,keepshis
mindunconqueredforintheverymidstofprosperityheproveshisstrengthtomeet
adversity.Consequently,Ihavealwaysbe
<Ess2427>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,v.6vi.2
lievedthattherewasnorealgoodinthethingsthatmostmenprayforbesides,Ihave
alwaysfoundthattheywereemptyand,thoughpaintedoverwithshowyanddeceptive
colours,havenothingwithintomatchtheiroutward_show+.Evennowinthemidstof
thesesocalledevilsIfindnothingsofearfulandharshasthefancyofeveryone
foreboded.Theverynameofexile,byreasonofasortofpersuasionandgeneral
consent,fallsbynowupontheearsveryharshly,andstrikesthehearerassomething
gloomyandaccursed.Forsothepeoplehavedecreed,butdecreesofthepeoplewise
meninlargemeasureannul.Therefore,puttingasidetheverdictofthemajoritywhoare
sweptawaybythefirstappearanceofthings,nomatterwhatgroundtheyhavetotrustit,
letusseewhatexileis.Itisachangeofplace.Thatlmaynotseemtonarrowitsforce
andtosubtracttheworstitholds,Iwilladmitthatthischangingofplaceisattendedby
disadvantagesbypoverty,disgrace,andscorn.ThesemattersIshallcopewithlater
meanwhile,thefirstquestionthatIwishtoconsideriswhatunpleasantnessthemere
changingofplacebringswithit."Tobedeprivedofone'scountryisintolerable,"yousay.
Butcomenow,beholdthisconcourseofmen,forwhomthehousesofhugeRome
scarcelysufficemostofthisthrongarenowdeprivedoftheircountry.Fromtheirtowns
andcolonies,fromthewholeworld,infact,hitherhavetheyflocked.Somehavebeen
broughtbyambition,somebytheobligationofapublictrust,somebyanenvoy'sduty
havingbeenlaiduponthem,some,seekingaconvenientandrichfieldforvice,byluxury,
somebyadesireforthe
<Ess2429>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,vi.26
higherstudies,somebythepublicspectaclessomehavebeendrawnbyfriendship,
some,seeingtheampleopportunityfordisplayingenergy,bythechancetoworksome
havepresentedtheirbeautyforsale,sometheireloquenceforsaleeveryclassof
personhasswarmedintothecitythatoffershighprizesforbothvirtuesandvices.Have
allofthemsummonedbynameandaskofeach"Whencedoyouhail?"?Youwillfind
thattherearemorethanhalfwhohavelefttheirhomesandcometothiscity,whichis
trulyaverygreatandaverybeautifulone,butnottheirown.Thenleavethiscity,whichin
asensemaybesaidtobelongtoall,andtravelfromonecitytoanothereveryonewill
havealargeproportionofforeignpopulation.Passfromthecitiesthatenticeverymany
bytheirdelightfulsituationandanadvantageouspositionsurveythedesertplacesand
the,rockiestislandsSciathusandSeriphus,GyarusandCossura\ayouwillfindnoplace
ofexilewheresomeonedoesnotlingerofhisowndesire.Whatcanbefoundsobarren,
whatsoprecipitousoneverysideasthisrock\b?Ifitsresourcesareviewed,whatis
morestarved?ifitspeople,whatismoreuncivilized?iftheverytopographyoftheplace,
whatismorerugged?ifthecharacterofitsclimate,whatismoreintemperate?Yethere
residemoreforeignersthannatives.Sofar,therefore,isthemerechangingofplaces
frombeingahardshipthateventhisplacehastemptedsomefromtheirnativeland.Ifind
somewhosaythatnaturehasplantedinthehurnanbreastacertainrestlessnessthat
makesmanseektochangehisabodeandfindanewhomefortohimhasbeengivena
mindthatisfickleandrestless,itlingersnowhereitrangestoandfro,and
<Ess2431>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,vi.6vii.1
sendsforthitsthoughtstoallplaces,knownandunknownarover,impatientofrepose
andhappiestinthemidstofnewscenes.Andthiswillnotmakeyouwonderifyou
consideritsearliestorigin.Itwasnotformedfromheavyandterrestrialmatter,itcame
downfromyonderspiritintheskybutcelestialthingsbytheirverynaturearealwaysin
motion,theyeverfleeandaredrivenoninswiftestcourse.Beholdtheplanetsthatlight
theworldnooneofthemstandsstill.Thesunglidesonwardceaselesslyandchanges
fromplacetoplace,andalthoughitrevolveswiththeuniverse,itmovesnonethelessina
directioncontrarytothatoftheworlditself,itrunsthroughallthesignsofthezodiacand
neverhaltsitsmovementisincessantanditshiftsfromonepositiontoanother.Allthe
planetsareeverwhirlingonandpassingbyastheinviolablelawofNaturehasdecreed,
theyaresweptfromonepositiontoanotherwheninthecourseoffixedperiodsofyears
theyhaveroundedouttheircircuits,theywillenteragainuponthepathsbywhichthey
came.Whatfolly,then,tothinkthatthehumanmind,whichhasbeenformedfromthe
selfsameelementsasthesedivinebeings,istroubledbyjourneyingandchangingits
home,whileGod'snaturefindsdelightor,ifyouwill,itspreservationincontinuousand
mostspeedymovement!
Comenow,turnyourattentionfromthingsdivinetotheaffairsofmenyouwillsee
thatwholetribesandnationshavechangedtheirabodes.WhydowefindGreekcitiesin
theveryheartofbarbariancountries?whytheMacedoniantongueamongtheIndiansand
thePersians?Scythiaandallthatgreatstretchwhichispeopledwithfierceand
unconqueredtribesshowAchaeantownsplantedon
<Ess2433>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,vii.14
theshoresofthePonticSeanotbythefiercenessofeternalwinter,notbythetemperof
theinhabitants,assavageastheirclimate,weremendeterredfromseekingtherenew
homes.AhostofAtheniansdwellinAsiaMiletushaspouredforthindiversdirections
enoughpeopletofillseventyfivecities\athewholecoastofItalywhichiswashedbythe
LowerSeabecameagreaterGreeceAsiaclaimstheTuscans\basherownTyrianslive
inAfrica,CarthaginiansinSpaintheGreeks\cthrustthemselvesintoGaul,theGaulsinto
Greece\dthePyrenessdidnotstaythepassageoftheGermansthroughpathless,
throughunknownregionsrestlessmanhasmadehisway.Wivesandchildrenand
eldersburdenedwithagetrailedalong.Somehavenotsettleduponaplacefromchoice,
but,tossedaboutinlongwandering,fromverywearinesshaveseizeduponthenearest
othershaveestablishedtheirrightinaforeignlandbytheswordsometribes,seeking
unknownregions,wereswallowedupbytheseasomesettledinthespotinwhichalack
ofsupplieshadstrandedthem.Andnotallhavehadthesamereasonforleavingtheir
countryandseekinganewone.Some,havingescapedthedestructionoftheircitiesby
theforcesoftheenemy,havebeenthrustintostrangelandswhenstrippedoftheirown
somehavebeencastoutbycivildiscordsomehavegoneforthinordertorelievethe
pressurefromovercrowdingcausedbyanexcessofpopulationsomehavebeendriven
outbypestilenceorrepeatedearthquakesorcertainunbearabledefectsofan
unproductivesoilsome

berians,whocrossedfromGaulintoSpainatanearlyperiod.
<Ess2435>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,vii.48
havebeenbeguiledbythefameofafertileshorethatwastoohighlypraised.Different
peopleshavebeenimpelledbydifferentreasonstoleavetheirhomes.Butatleastthisis
clearnonehasstayedintheplacewhereitwasborn.Thehumanraceisconstantly
rushingtoandfrointhisvastworldsomechangetakesplaceeveryday.The
foundationsofnewcitiesarelaid,thenamesofnewnationsarise,whileformeronesare
blottedoutorlostbyannexationwithastronger.Butallthesetransmigrationsofpeoples
whataretheybutwholesalebanishments?WhyshouldIdragyouthroughthewhole
longcircle?WhatneedtociteAntenor,founderofPatavium,andEvander,whoplanted
theauthorityoftheArcadiansonthebanksoftheTiber?WhymentionDiomedesandthe
others,victorsandvanquishedalike,whowerescatteredthroughoutstrangelandsbythe
TrojanWar?TheRomanEmpireitself,infact,looksbacktoanexileasitsfoundera
refugeefromhiscapturedcity,who,takingalongasmallremnantofhispeopleanddriven
byfearofthevictortoseekadistantland,wasbroughtbydestinyintoItaly.Thispeople,
inturnhowmanycolonieshasitsenttoeveryprovince!WherevertheRoman
conquers,therehedwells.Withaviewtothischangeofcountry,volunteerswouldgladly
giveintheirnames,andtheoldman,leavinghisaltars,wouldfollowthecolonists
overseas.ThematterdoesnotrequirealistingofmoreinstancesyetIshalladdone
whichthrustsitselfbeforetheeyes.Thisveryislandhasofttimeschangeditsdwellers.
Tosaynothingofoldermatters,whichantiquityhasveiled,theGreekswhonowinhabit
Marseilles,afterleavingPhocis,\a
<Ess2437>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,vii.8viii.2
firstsettledonthisisland,anditisdoubtfulwhatdrovethemfromitwhetherthe
harshnessoftheclimate,orthenearsightofallpowerfulItaly,ortheharbourless
characteroftheseaforthatthefiercenessofthenativeswasnotthecauseisclearfrom
thefactthattheyestablishedthemselvesinthemidstofwhatwerethenthemostsavage
anduncivilizedpeoplesofGaul.LatertheLigurianscrossedintotheisland,andthe
Spaniardsalsocame,asthesimilarityofcustomsshowsfortheislanderswearthe
sameheadcoveringsandthesamekindoffootgearastheCantabrians,andcertainof
theirwordsarethesamebutonlyafew,forfromintercoursewiththeGreeksand
Ligurianstheirlanguageasawholehaslostitsnativecharacter.Stilllatertwocoloniesof
Romancitizensweretransportedtotheisland,onebyMarius,theotherbySullasomany
timeshasthepopulationofthisbarrenandthornyrockbeenchanged!Inshort,youwill
scarcelyfindanylandinwhichtheredwellstothisdayanativepopulationeverywherethe
inhabitantsareofmongrelandingraftedstock.Onepeoplehasfolloweduponanother
whatonescorned,theothercovetedonethatdroveanotherfromitsland,hasbeenin
turnexpelled.ThusFatehasdecreedthatnothingshouldstandalwaysuponthesame
planeoffortune.Varro,themostlearnedoftheRomans,holdsthat,barringalltheother
illsofexile,themerechangingofplaceisoffsetbythisamplecompensationthefactthat
whereverwecome,wemuststillfindtherethesameorderofNature.MarcusBrutus
thinksthatthisisenoughthefactthatthosewhogointoexilemaytakealongwiththem
theirvirtues.Eventhoughonemay
<Ess2439>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,viii.26
decidethattheseconsiderationstakensinglydonotsufficetogivefullconsolationtothe
exile,yethewilladmitthattheyareallpowerfulwhentheyarecombined.Forhowlittleit
isthatwehavelost!Whereverwebetakeourselves,twothingsthataremostadmirable
willgowithusuniversalNatureandourownvirtue.Believeme,thiswastheintentionof
thegreatcreatoroftheuniverse,whoeverhemaybe,whetheranallpowerfulGod,or
incorporealReasoncontrivingvastworks,ordivineSpiritpervadingallthingsfromthe
smallesttothegreatestwithuniformenergy,orFateandanunalterablesequenceof
causesclingingonetotheotherthis,Isay,washisintention,thatonlythemost
worthlessofourpossessionsshouldfallunderthecontrolofanother.Allthatisbestfora
manliesbeyondthepowerofothermen,whocanneithergiveitnortakeitaway.This
firmament,thanwhichNaturehascreatednaughtgreaterandmorebeautiful,andthe
mostgloriouspartofit,thehumanmind\athatsurveysandwondersatthefirmament,are
ourowneverlastingpossessions,destinedtoremainwithussolongasweourselves
shallremain.Eager,therefore,anderect,letushastenwithdauntlessstepwherever
circumstancedirects,letustraverseanylandswhatsoever.Insidetheworldtherecanbe
foundnoplaceofexilefornothingthatisinsidetheworldisforeigntomankind.\bNo
matterwhereyouliftyourgazefromearthtoheaven,therealmsofGodandmanare
separatedbyanunalterabledistance.Accordingly,solongasmyevesarenotdeprived
ofthatspectaclewithwhichtheyareneversated,solongasImaybeholdthesunandthe
moon,solongasImayfixmygazeupontheotherplanets,
<Ess2441>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,viii.6ix.3
solongasImaytraceouttheirrisingsandsettings,theirperiods,andthereasonsforthe
swiftnessortheslownessoftheirwandering,beholdthecountlessstarsthatgleam
throughoutthenightsomeatrest,whileothersdonotenteruponagreatcourse,but
circlearoundwithintheirownfield,somesuddenlyshootingforth,someblindingtheeyes
withscatteredfireasiftheywerefalling,orflyingbywithalongtrailoflingeringlightso
longasImaybewiththese,and,insofarasitispermittedtoaman,communewith
celestialbeings,solongasImaykeepmyminddirectedevertothesightofkindred
thingsonhigh,whatdifferencedoesitmaketomewhatsoilItreadupon?
But,"yousay,"thislandyieldsnofruitfulorpleasingtreesitiswateredbythe
channelsofnogreatornavigableriversitproducesnothingthatothernationsdesire,it
scarcelybearsenoughtosupportitsowninhabitantsnocostlymarbleisquarriedhere,
noveinsofgoldandsilverareunearthed."Butitisanarrowmindthatfindsitspleasurein
earthlythingsitshouldturnfromthesetothoseabove,whicheverywhereappearjustthe
same,everywherearejustasbright.This,too,wemustbearinmind,thatearthlythings
becauseoffalseandwronglyacceptedvaluescutoffthesightofthesetruegoods.The
longertherichmanextendshiscolonnades,thehigherheliftshistowers,thewiderhe
stretchesouthismansions,thedeeperhedigshiscavernsforsummer,thehugerloom
theroofsofthebanquethallsherears,somuchthemoretherewillbetohideheaven
fromhissight.Hasmisfortunecastyouintoacountrywherethemostsumptuous
shelterisahut?Trulyyoushowapaltryspiritand
<Ess2443>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,ix.36
taketoyourselfmeancomfortifyoubearthisbravelyonlybecauseyouknowthehutof
Romulus.Say,rather,this:"Thislowlyhovel,Isuppose,givesentrancetothevirtues+?
Whenjustice,whentemperance,whenwisdomandrighteousnessandunderstandingof
theproperapportionmentofalldutiesandtheknowledgeofGodandmanareseen
therein,itwillstraightwaybecomemorestatelythananytemple.Noplacethatcanhold
thisconcourseofsuchgreatvirtuesisnarrownoexilecanbeirksometowhichonemay
goinsuchcompanyasthis."
Brutus,inthebook\ahewroteonvirtue,saysthathesawMarcellusinexileat
Mytilene,livingashappilyasthelimitationsofhumannaturepermit,andthathehadnever
beenmoreinterestedinliberalstudies+thanhewasatthattime.Andsoheaddsthat,
whenhewasabouttoreturntoRomewithouthim,hefeltthathehimselfwasgoinginto
exileinsteadofleavinghimbehindinexile.HowmuchmorefavouredwasMarcellusat
thattimewhenasanexilehewontheapprovalofBrutusthanwhenasconsulhewonthe
approvalofthestate!Whatamanhemusthavebeentohavemadeanyonefeelthathe
himselfwasanexilebecausehewaspartingfromanexile!Whatamanhemusthave
beentohavedrawntohimselftheadmirationofonewhomCato,hiskinsman,hadto
admire!Brutussays,too,thatGaiusCaesarhadsailedpastMytilenebecausehecould
notbeartoseeaheroindisgrace.Thesenatedidindeedbypublicpetitionssecurehis
recall,\cbeingmeanwhilesoanxiousandsadthatallitsmembersonthatdayseemedto
feelasBrutusdidandtobepleading,notforMarcellus,butforthemselves,lestthey
shouldbeexilesiftheyshouldbeleftwithouthimbut
<Ess2445>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,ix.6x.2
heattainedfarmoreonthatdaywhenBrutuscouldnotbeartoleavehim,andCaesarto
seehimasanexile!ForhewassofortunateastohavetestimonyfrombothBrutus
grievedtoreturnwithoutMarcellus,butCaesarblushed!CanyoudoubtthatMarcellus,
greatherothathewas,oftenencouragedhimselfbysuchthoughtsasthesetobearhis
exilewithpatience?"Themerelossofyourcountryisnotunhappiness.Youhaveso
steepedyourselfinstudiesastoknowthattothewisemaneveryplaceishiscountry.
And,besides,theverymanwhodroveyouforthwasbenotabsentfromhiscountry
throughtensuccessiveyears?Hisreasonwas,itistrue,theextensionoftheempire,
butforallthathewasawayfromhiscountry.See!nowheisdrawntowardAfrica,which
isrifewithmenaceaswaragainliftsupitsheadheisdrawntowardSpain,whichis
nursingbackthestrengthofcrushedandshatteredforcesheisdrawntowardfaithless
Egyptinshort,towardthewholeworld,waitingforachancetostrikethestrickenempire.
Whichmattershallhecopewithfirst?Towardwhatquartersethisface?Throughoutall
landsshallhebedriven,avictimofhisownvictory.Himletthenationsreverenceand
worship,butdoyoulivecontenttohaveBrutusanadmirer!"
Nobly,then,didMarcellusendurehisexile,andhischangeofplacemadeno
changeatallinhismind,althoughpovertywentwithhim.Buteveryonewhohasnotyet
attainedtoinsanityofgreedandluxury,whichupseteverything,knowsthatthereisno
calamityinthat.Forhowsmallasumisneededtosupportaman!Andwhocanfailto
havethislittleifhepossessesanymeritwhatsoever?Sofarasconcernsmyself,Iknow
thatIhavelost,notwealth,
<Ess2447>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,x.25,
butmy"engrossments."\aThewantsofthebodyaretrifling.Itrequiresprotectionfrom
thecoldandthequenchingofhungerandthirstbyfoodanddrinkifwecovetanything
beyond,wetoiltoserve,notourneeds,butourvices.Wehavenoneedtoscourthe
depthsofeverysea,toloadthebellywiththecarnageofdumbcreatures,towrest
shellfishfromthedistantshoreoffarthestseacursesofgodsandgoddessesuponthe
wretcheswhoseluxuryoverleapstheboundsofanempirethatalreadystirstoomuch
envy!TheywantgamethatiscaughtbeyondthePhasistosupplytheirpretentious
kitchens,andfromtheParthians,fromwhomRomehasnotyetgotvengeance,theydo
notblushtogetbirds!Fromeveryquartertheygathertogethereveryknownand
unknownthingtotickleafastidiouspalatethefoodwhichtheirstomachs,weakenedby
indulgence,canscarcelyretainisfetchedfromfarthestoceantheyvomitthattheymay
eat,theyeatthattheymayvomit,andtheydonotdeigneventodigestthefeastsforwhich
theyransackthewholeworld.Ifamandespisessuchthings,whatharmcanpovertydo
him?Ifamancovetsthem,povertybecomesevenabenefittohim,,forheismadewhole
inspiteofhimself,and,ifevenundercompulsionhewillnottakehismedicine,foratime
atleast,whilehecannotgetthem,heisasthoughhedidnotwantthem.GaiusCaesar,
whom,asitseemstome,Natureproducedmerelytoshowhowfarsupremevice,when
combinedwithsupremepower,couldgo,dinedonedayatacostoftenmillionsesterces
andthougheverybodyusedtheiringenuitytohelphim,yethecouldhardlydiscoverhowto
spendthetributemoneyfromthreeprovincesononedinner!Howunhappythosewhose
<Ess2449>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION.x.57
appetiteisstirredatthesightofnonebutcostlyfoods!Anditisnottheirchoiceflavouror
somedelighttothepalatethatmakesthemcostly,buttheirrarityandthedifficultyof
gettingthem.Otherwise,ifmenshouldbewillingtoreturntosanityofmind,whatisthe
needofsomanyartsthatministertothebelly?Whatneedofcommerce?Whatneedof
ravagingtheforests?Whatneedofransackingthedeep?ThefoodswhichNaturehas
placedineveryregionlieallaboutus,butmen,justasifblind,passthesebyandroam
througheveryregion,theycrosstheseasandatgreatcostexcitetheirhungerwhenat
littlecosttheymightallayit.Onewouldliketosay:"Whydoyoulaunchyourships?Why
doyouarmyourbandsbothagainstmanandagainstwildbeasts?Whydoyourushto
andfroinsuchwildconfusion?Whydoyoupilerichesonriches?Youreallyshould
rememberhowsmallyourbodiesare!Isitnotmadnessandthewildestlunacytodesire
somuchwhenyoucanholdsolittle?
Andsoyoumayswellyourincomes,andextendyourboundariesyetyouwill
neverenlargethecapacityofyourbellies.Thoughyourbusinessmayprosper,though
warfaremayprofityoumuch,thoughyoumaybringtogetherfoodshuntedfromevery
quarter,yetyouwillhavenoplaceinwhichtostoreyourhoards.Whydoyousearchfor
somanythings?Ourancestors,ofcourse,wereunhappytheywhosevirtueeventothis
daypropsupourvices,whobytheirownhandsprovidedthemselveswithfood,whose
couchwastheearth,whoseceilingsdidnotyetglitterwithgold,whosetempleswerenot
yetshiningwithpreciousstones.Andsointhosedaystheywouldsolemnlytakeoathby
godsofclay,\aandthosewhohadinvokedthem
<Ess2451>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,x.810
wouldgobacktotheenemy,\apreferringtodieratherthanbreakfaith.Andourdictator,\b
hewho,whilehegaveaudiencetotheenvoysoftheSamnites,wasbusyathishearth,
cookingwithhisownhandthecheapestsortoffood,withthathandthathadoftensmitten
theenemybeforeandhadplacedalaurelwreath\cuponthelapofCapitolineJovethis
man,ofcourse,waslivinglesshappilythandidApicius\awithinourownmemory,whoin
thisverycity,whichatonetimethephilosopherswereorderedtoave/c,asbeing
'corruptorsofyouth,'asaprofessorofthescience(ifthecookshopdefiledtheagewith
histeaching."Itisworthourwhiletolearnhisend,Afterhehadsquanderedahundred
millionsestercesuponhiskitchen,afterhehaddrunkupateveryoneofhisrevelsthe
equivalentofthemanylargessesoftheemperorsandthehugerevenueoftheCapitol,
thenforthefirsttime,whenoverwhelmedwithdebtandactuallyforced,hebeganto
examinehisaccounts.Hecalculatedthathewouldhavetenmillionsestercesleft,and
consideringthathewouldbelivinginextremestarvationifhelivedontenmillion
sesterces,heendedhislifebypoison.Buthowgreatwashisluxuryiftenmillions
countedaspoverty!Whatfollythentothinkthatitistheamountofmoneyandnotthe
stateofmindthatmatters!Tenmillionsestercesmadeonemanshudder,andasum
thatothersseekbyprayerheescapedfrombypoison!Foramansopervertedindesire,
hislastdraughtwasreallythemostwholesome.Whenhenotonlyenjoyed,butboasted
ofhisenormousbanquets,whenheflauntedhisvices,whenheattractedtheattentionof
thecommunitytohiswantonness,whenheenticedtheyoungtoimitatehisowncourse,
Whoevenwithout

aRegulus+....
<Ess2453>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,x.10xi.3
badexamplesarequickenoughtolearnofthemselves,itwasthenthatbewaseatingand
drinkingpoisons.Sucharethepitfallsofthosewhomeasureriches,notbythestandard
ofreason,whichhasitsboundsfixed,butbythestandardofamodeoflivingthatis
vicious,andyethasboundlessandillimitabledesire.Nothingwillsatisfygreed,buteven
scantmeasureisenoughforNature'sneed.Thereforethepovertyofanexileholdsno
hardshipfornoplaceofexileissobarrenasnottoyieldamplesupportforaman."But,"
yousay,"theexileislikelytomisshisraimentandhishouse."Willhedesirethesealso
merelytotheextentofhisneed?Thenhewilllackneithershelternorcoveringforittakes
justaslittletoshieldastofeedthebody.Naturehasmadenothingdifficultwhichatthe
sametimeshemadenecessaryforman.Butifhedesiresclothofpurplesteepedinrich
dye,threadedwithgold,anddamaskedwithvariouscoloursandpatterns,itisnot
Nature'sfaultbuthisownifheispoor.Evenifyourestoretohimwhateverhehaslost,it
willdonogoodforhewhowillneedtoberestored/aWillstilllackmoreofallthathe
covetsthanasanexilehelackedofallthatheoncehad.Butifhedesirestablesthat
gleamwithvesselsofgold,andsilverplatethatboaststhenamesofancientartists,
bronze/bmadecostlybythecrazyfadofafew,andathrongofslavesthatwouldhamper
ahousehoweverlarge,beastsofburdenwithbodiesoverstuffedandforcedtogrowfat,
andthemarblesofeverynationthoughheshouldamassallthese,theywillnomorebe
abletosatisfyhisinsatiablesoulthananyamountofdrinkwilleversufficetoquenchthe
thirstofaman
<Ess2455>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,xi.37
whosedesirearises,notfromneed,butfromthefirethatburnsinhisvitalsforthisisnot
thirst,butdisease.{lust+}Noristhistrueonlyinrespecttomoneyorfood.Everywant
thatsprings,notfromanyneed,butfromviceisofalikecharacterhowevermuchyou
gatherforitwillserve,nottoend,buttoadvancedesire.He,therefore,whokeepshimself
withintheboundsofnaturewillnotfeelpovertybuthewhoexceedstheboundsofnature
willbepursuedbypovertyeventhoughhehasunboundedwealth.Evenplacesofexile
willprovidenecessaries,butnotevenkingdomssuperfluities.Itisthemindthatmakesus
richthisgoeswithusintoexile,andinthewildestwilderness,havingfoundthereallthat
thebodyneedsforitssustenance,ititselfoverflowsintheenjoymentofitsowngoods.
Themindhasnoconcernwithmoneynowhitmorethanhavetheimmortalgods.
Thosethingsthatmen'suntutoredheartsrevere,sunkinthebondageoftheirbodies
jewels,gold,silver,andpolishedtables,hugeandroundalltheseareearthlydross,for
whichtheuntaintedspirit,consciousofitsownnature,canhavenolove,sineeitisitself
lightanduncumbered,waitingonlytobereleasedfromthebodybeforeitsoarstohighest
heaven.Meanwhile,hamperedbymortallimbsandencompassedbytheheavyburdenof
theflesh+,itsurveys,asbestitcan,thethingsofheaveninswiftandwingedthought.
Andsothemindcanneversufferexile,sinceitisfree,kindredtothegods,andathomein
everyworldandeveryageforitsthoughtrangesoverallheavenandprojectsitselfintoall
pastandfuturetime.Thispoorbody,theprisonandfetterofthesoul,istossedhither
andthither
<Ess2457>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,xi.7xii.4
uponitpunishments,uponitrobberies,uponitdiseasesworktheirwill.Butthesoulitself
issacredandeternal,anduponitnohandcanbelaid.But,thatyoumaynotthinkthatI
amusingmerelythepreceptsofphilosophersforthepurposeofbelittlingtheillsof
poverty,whichnomanfeelstobeburdensomeunlesshethinksitso,consider,inthefirst
place,howmuchlargeristheproportionofpoor+men,andyetyouwillobservethatthey
arenotawhitsadderormoreanxiousthantherichnay,Iaminclinedtothinkthatthey
arehappierbecausetheyhavefewerthingstoharasstheirminds.Letuspassoverthe
wealththatisalmostpoverty,letuscometothereallyrich.Howmanyaretheoccasions
onwhichtheyarejustlikethepoor!Iftheygoabroad,theymustcutdowntheirbaggage,
andwheneverthepressureofthejourneyrequireshaste,theydismisstheirtrainof
attendants.Andthosewhoareinthearmyhowsmallapartoftheirpossessionsdo
theyhavewiththemsincecampdisciplineprohihitseveryluxury!Andnotonlydoesthe
necessityofcertaintimesandplacesputthemonalevelwiththepoorinactualwant,but,
whenawearinessofricheshappenstoseizethem,theyevenchoosecertaindayson
whichtodineonthegroundanduseearthenvessels,refrainingfromgoldandsilverplate.
Madmen!thisstatewhichtheyalwaysdread,theysometimesevencovet.Owhat
darknessofmind,whatignoranceoftruthblindsthosewho,harassedbythefearof
poverty+,forpleasure'ssakesimulatepoverty!Asformyself,wheneverIlookbackupon
thegreatexamplesofantiquity,Iamashamedtoseekanyconsolationsforpoverty,since
inthesetimesluxuryhas
<Ess2459>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,xii.47
reachedsuchapitchthattheallowanceofexilesislargerthantheinheritanceofthechief
menofold.ItiswellknownthatHomerhadoneslave,Platothree,thatZeno,thefounder
ofthestrictandvirileschoolofStoicphilosophy,hadnone.Willanyonesay,therefore,
thatthesemenlivedpoorlywithoutseemingfromhisverywordstobethepoorestwretch
alive?MeneniusAgrippa,whoactingasmediatorbetweenthepatriciansandplebeians
broughtharmonytothestate,wasburiedbypublicsubscription.AtiliusRegulus,whenhe
wasengagedinroutingtheCarthaginiansinAfrica,wrotetothesenatethathishired
handhadabscondedandleftthefarmabandonedwhereuponthesenatedecreedthat,
aslongasReguluswasaway,hisfarmwastobemanagedbythestate.Wasitnot
worthhiswhiletohavenoslaveinorderthattheRomanpeoplemightbecomehis
labourer?Scipio'sdaughtersreceivedtheirdowryfromthepublictreasurybecausetheir
fatherhadleftthemnothing.Heavenknows!itwasonlyfairfortheRomanpeopleto
bestowtributeonScipiojustoncesincehewasalwaysexactingitfromCarthage.O
happythemaidens'husbandsinhavingtheRomanpeopleastheirfatherinlaw!Think
youthatthosewhosedaughtersdanceuponthestageandwedwithadowryofamillion
sestercesarehappierthanScipio,whosechildrenhadthesenateastheirguardianand
receivedfromitaweightofcopperafortheirdowry?CananyonescornPovertywhen
shehasapedigreesoillustrious?CananexilechafeatsufferinganyneedwhenScipio
hadneedofadowry,Regulusofahireling,Meneniusofafuneral?wheninthecaseofall
ofthesewhattheyneededwassuppliedtotheir
<Ess2461>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,xii.7xiii.4
greaterhonourfortheveryreasonthattheyhadhadtheneed?Withsuchdefenders,
therefore,asthesethecauseofpovertybecomesnotonlysafe,butgreatlyfavoured.
Tothisonemayreply:"Whydoyouartfullydividethingswhich,iftakenseparately,
canbeenduredifcombined,cannot?Changeofplaceistolerableifyouchangemerely
yourplacepovertyistolerableifitbewithoutdisgrace,whichevenaloneiswonttocrush
thespirit."Inreplytothisman,theonewhotriestofrightenmewithanaggregationofills,I
shallhavetousesuchwordsasthese:"Ifyouhaveenoughstrengthtocopewithanyone
phaseoffortune,youwillhaveenoughtocopewithall,Whenvirtuehasoncesteeledyour
mind,itguaranteestomakeitinvulnerablefromeveryquarter.Ifgreed+,themightiest
curseofthehumanrace,hasrelaxeditshold,ambitionwillnotdetainyouifyouregard
theendofyourdays,notasapunishment,butasanordinanceofnature,whenonceyou
havecastfromyourbreastthefearofdeath,thefearofnootherthingwilldaretoenterin
ifyouconsidersexualdesire+tohavebeengiventoman,notforthegratificationof
pleasure,butforthecontinuanceofthehumanrace,whenonceyouhaveescapedthe
violenceofthissecretdestructionimplantedinyourveryvitals,everyotherdesirewill
passyoubyunharmed.Reasonlayslowthevicesnotonebyone,butalltogetherthe
victoryisgainedonceforall."Thinkyouthatanywisemancanbemovedbydisgracea
manwhorelieswhollyuponhimself,whodrawsalooffromtheopinionsofthecommon
herd+?Worseeventhandisgraceisadisgracefuldeath.AndyetSocrates,wearingthe
sameaspectwherewithhehadonceall
<Ess2463>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,xiii.48
aloneputtheThirtyTyrantsintheirplace,/aenteredprison,andsowastorobevenprison
ofalldisgracefornoplacethatheldSocratescouldpossiblyseemaprison.Whohas
becomesoblindtotheperceptionoftruthastothinkthatthetwofolddefeatofMarcus
Catoinhiscandidacyforthepraetorshipandtheconsulshipwastohimadisgrace.It
wasthepraetorshipandtheconsulship,onwhichCatowasconferringhonour,that
sufferedthedisgrace.Nooneisdespisedbyanotherunlessheisfirstdespisedby
himself.Anabjectandgrovellingmindmaybeliabletosuchinsultbutamanwhorises
uptofacethemostcruelofmisfortunesandoverthrowstheevilsbywhichothersare
crushedthisman'sverysorrowscrownhim,asitwere,withahalo,sinceweareso
constitutedthatnothingstirsouradmirationsomuchasamanwhoisbraveinadversity.
AtAthens,whenAristides/bwasbeingledtodeath,everyonewhomethimwould
castdownhiseyesandgroan,feelingthatitwasnotmerelyajustman,butJustice
herselfwhowasbeingdoomedtodieyetonemanwasfoundwhospatintohisface.He
mighthaveresentedthisforthesimplereasonthatheknewwellthatnocleanmouthed
manwouldhavedaredtodoit.Buthewipedhisfaceandsmiled,sayingtotheofficer
thatattendedhim:"Remindthatfellownottoopenhismouthsooffensivelyanothertime."
Thiswastoputinsult/cuponinsultitself.Iknowthattherearesomewhosaythatnothing
ishardertobearthanscorn,thatdeathitselfseemsmoredesirabletothem.TotheseI
willreplythatevenexileisoftenfreefromanymarkofscorn.Ifagreatmanfalls,though
prostrate,heisstillgreatmennomorescornhim,Isay,thantheytreadupon
<Ess2465>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,xiii.8xv.1
thefallenwallsofatemple,whichthedevoutstillrevereasdeeplyaswhentheywere
standing.
Sinceyouhavenoreason,mydearestmother,tobeforcedtoendlesstearson
myownaccount,itfollowsthatyouaregoadedtothembyreasonsofyourown.Now
therearetwopossibilities. Forwhatmovesyouiseitherthethoughtthatyouhavelost
someprotection,orthemerelongingformeismorethanyoucanendure.Thefirst
considerationImusttouchuponverylightlyforIwellknowthatyourheartvaluesnothing
inyourdearonesexceptthemselves.Letothermotherslooktothatthemotherswho
makeuseofason'spowerwithawoman+'slackofselfcontrol,who,becausethey
cannotholdoffice,seekpowerthroughtheirsons,whobothspendtheirsons'
inheritancesandhopetobetheirheirs,whowearouttheireloquenceinlendingitto
others.Butyouhavealwayshadthegreatestjoyintheblessingsofyourchildren,yetyou
haveusedthemnotatallyouhavealwayssetboundstoourgenerosity,thoughyouset
nonetoyourownyou,thoughadaughterinyourfather'shousehold,actuallymade
presentstoyourwealthysonsyoumanagedourinheritanceswithsuchcarethatthey
mighthavebeenyourown,withsuchscrupulousnessthattheymighthavebeena
stranger'syouwereassparingintheuseofourinfluenceasifyouwereusinga
stranger'sproperty,andfromourelectionstoofficenothingaccruedtoyouexceptyour
pleasureandtheexpense.Neverdidyourfondnesslooktoselfinterest.Youcannot,
therefore,inthelossofasonmisswhatyouneverconsideredyourownconcernwhilehe
wasstillsafe.SoImustdirectallmyeffortatconsolationupon
<Ess2467>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,xv.14
thesecondpointthetruesourceofthepowerofamother'sgrief."Iamdeprived,"you
say,"oftheembracesofmydearestsonImaynolongerenjoythepleasureofseeing
him,thepleasureofhisconversation!Whereishetheverysightofwhomwouldsmooth
mytroubledbrow,uponwhomIunloadedallmyanxieties?Wherearethetalks,ofwhichI
couldneverhaveenough?Wherearethestudies,whichIsharedwithmorethana
woman+'spleasure,withmorethanamother'sintimacy?Wherethefondmeeting?
Wheretheboyishgleethatwasalwaysstirredbythesightofhismother?"Youaddtoall
thistheactualscenesofourrejoicingsandintercourseandtheremindersofourrecent
association,whichare,necessarily,themostpotentcausesofmentaldistress.For
Fortunecruellycontrivedtodealyoueventhisblowshewilledthatyoushouldpartfrom
meonlytwodaysbeforeIwasstruckdown,andyouhadnoreasonforconcernnorany
fearofsuchadisaster.Itiswellthatwehadbeenseparatedbeforebyagreatdistance,it
iswellthatanabsenceofseveralyearshadpreparedyouforthismisfortune.By
returningtoRome,youfailedtogainthepleasureofseeingyourson,andlostthehabitof
doingwithouthim.Hadyoubeenabsentlongbefore,youcouldhavebornemymisfortune
morebravely,sinceseparationitselflessensourlonginghadyounotgoneaway,you
wouldhaveatleastgainedthefinalpleasureofseeingyoursontwodayslonger.Asit
was,cruelFatecontrivedthatyoushouldneitherbewithmeinthemidstofdisaster,nor
havegrownaccustomedtomyabsence.Buttheharderthesecircumstancesare,the
morecouragemustyousummon,andyoumustengagewithFor
<Ess2469>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,xv.4xvi.3
tunethemorefiercely,aswithanenemywellknownandoftenconqueredbefore.Itisnot
fromanunscathedbodythatyourbloodhasnowflowedyouhavebeenstruckinthevery
scarsofoldwounds.
Itisnotforyoutoavailyourselfoftheexcuseofbeingawoman,who,inaway,
hasbeengrantedtherighttoinordinate,yetnotunlimited,tears.Andsoourancestors,
seekingtocompromisewiththestubbornnessofawoman'sgriefbyapublicordinance,
grantedthespaceoftenmonthsasthelimitofmourningforahusband.Theydidnot
forbidtheirmourning,butlimiteditforwhenyouloseonewhoismostdear,tobefilled
withendlesssorrowisfoolishfondness,andtofeelnoneisinhumanhardness.Thebest
courseisthemeanbetweenaffectionandreasonbothtohaveasenseoflossandto
crushit.Thereisnoneedforyoutoregardcertainwomen,whosesorrowonceassumed
endedonlywiththeirdeathsomeyouknow,who,havingputonmourningforsonsthey
hadlost,neverlaidthegarbaside.Fromyoulife,thatwassternerfromthestart,requires
moretheexcuseofbeingawomancanbeofnoavailtoonewhohasalwayslackedall
theweaknessesofawoman.
Unchastity,thegreatestevilofourtime,hasneverclassedyouwiththegreat
majorityofwomenjewelshavenotmovedyou,norpearlstoyoureyestheglitterof
richeshasnotseemedthegreatestboonofthehumanraceyou,whoweresoundly
trainedinanoldfashionedandstricthousehold,havenotbeenpervertedbytheimitation
ofworsewomenthatleadseventhevirtuousintopitfallsyouhaveneverblushedforthe
numberofyourchildren,asifittauntedyouwithyouryears,neverhave
<Ess2471>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,xvi.36
you,inthemannerofotherwomenwhoseonlyrecommendationliesintheirbeauty,tried
toconcealyourpregnancyasifanunseemlyburden,norhaveyouevercrushedthehope
ofchildrenthatwerebeingnurturedinyourbodyyouhavenotdefiledyourfacewith
paintsandcosmeticsneverhaveyoufanciedthekindofdress/athatexposednogreater
nakednessbybeingremoved.Inyouhasbeenseenthatpeerlessornament,thatfairest
beautyonwhichtimelaysnohand,thatchiefestglorywhichismodesty.
Youcannot,therefore,allegeyourwomanhoodasanexcuseforpersistentgrief,
foryourveryvirtuessetyouapartyoumustbeasfarremovedfromwoman+'stearsas
fromhervices.Butevenwomenwillnotallowyoutopineawayfromyourwound,butwill
bidyoufinishquicklywithnecessarysorrow,andthenrisewithlighterheartImean,if
youarewillingtoturnyourgazeuponthewomenwhoseconspicuousbraveryhasplaced
themintherankofmightyheroes.
Corneliaboretwelvechildren,butFortunehadreducedtheirnumbertotwoifyou
wishedtocountCornelia'slosses,shehadlostten,iftoappraisethem,shehadlostthe
twoGracchi.Nevertheless,whenherfriendswereweepingaroundherandcursingher
fate,sheforbadethemtomakeanyindictmentagainstFortune,sinceitwasFortunewho
hadallowedtheGracchitobehersons.Suchawomanhadrighttobethemotherofhim
whoexclaimedinthepublicassembly:"Doyoudaretorevilethemotherwhogavebirthto
me?"Buttomehismother'sutterancesseemsmorespiritedbyfarthesonsetgreat
valueonthebirthdaysoftheGracchi,butthemotherontheirfuneralsaswell.
<Ess2473>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,xvi.7xvii.2
RutiliafollowedhersonCotta/aintoexile,andwassowrappedupinherloveforhimthat
shepreferredexiletolosinghimandonlyherson'sreturnbroughtherbacktohernative
land.Butwhen,afterhehadbeenrestoredandnowhadrisentohonourinthestate,he
died,shelethimgojustasbravelyasshehadclungtohimandafterhersonwasburied
noonesawhershedanytears.Whenhewasexiled,sheshowedcourage,whenshe
losthim,wisdomforintheonecaseshedidnotdesistfromherdevotion,andintheother
didnotpersistinuselessandfoolishsorrow.InthenumberofsuchwomenastheseI
wishyoutobecounted.Inyourefforttorestrainandsuppressyoursorrowyourbest
coursewillbetofollowtheexampleofthosewomenwhoselifeyouhavealwayscopied.
Iknowwellthatthisisamatterthatisnotinourownpower,andthatnoemotionis
submissive,leastofallthatwhichisbornfromsorrowforitiswildandstubbornlyresists
everyremedy.Sometimeswewilltocrushitandtoswallowdownourcries,yettears
pourdownourfacesevenwhenwehaveframedthecountenancetodeceive.Sometimes
weoccupythemindwithpublicgamesortheboutsofgladiators,butamidthevery
spectaclesthatdiverttheminditiscrushedbysomeslightreminderofitsloss.
Thereforeitisbettertosubdueoursorrowthantocheatitforwhenithaswithdrawnand
hasbeenbeguiledbypleasuresorengrossments,itrisesupagain,andfromitsveryrest
gathersnewstrengthforitsfury.Butthegriefthathassubmittedtoreasonisallayedfor
ever.AndsoIamnotgoingtopointyoutotheexpedientsthatIknowmanyhaveused,
suggestingthatyoudistract
<Ess2475>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,xvii.25
orcheeryourmindbytravel,whethertodistantorpleasantplaces,thatyouemploymuch
timeindiligentexaminationofyouraccountsandinthemanagementofyourestate,that
youshouldalwaysbeinvolvedinsomenewtasks.Allsuchthingsavailforabriefspace
only,andarenottheremediesbutthehindrancesofsorrowbutIwouldratherenditthan
beguileit.AndsoIguideyoutothatinwhichallwhoflyfromFortunemusttakerefugeto
philosophicstudies.Theywillhealyourwound,theywilluprootallyoursadness.Evenif
youhadnotbeenacquaintedwiththembefore,youwouldneedtousethemnowbut,so
farastheoldfashionedstrictnessofmyfatherpermittedyou,thoughyouhavenotindeed
fullygraspedtheliberalarts,stillyouhavehadsomedealingswiththem.Wouldthatmy
father,trulythebestofmen,hadsurrenderedlesstothepracticeofhisforefathers,and
hadbeenwillingtohaveyouacquireathoroughknowledgeoftheteachingsofphilosophy
insteadofameresmattering!Inthatcaseyouwouldnowhave,nottodevise,butmerely
todisplay,yourprotectionagainstFortune.Buthedidnotsufferyoutopursueyour
studiesbecauseofthosewomen+whodonotemploylearningasameanstowisdom,
butequipthemselveswithitforthepurposeofdisplay.Yet,thankstoyouracquiringmind,
youimbibedmorethanmighthavebeenexpectedinthetimeyouhadthefoundationsof
allsystematicknowledgehavebeenlaid.Doyoureturnnowtothesestudiestheywill
renderyousafe.Theywillcomfortyou,theywillcheeryouifinearnesttheygain
entrancetoyourmind,nevermorewillsorrowenterthere,nevermoreanxiety,nevermore
theuse
<Ess2477>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,xvii.5xviii.5
lessdistressoffutilesuffering.Tononeofthesewillyourheartbeopenfortoallother
weaknessesithaslongbeenclosed.Philosophyisyourmostunfailingsafeguard,and
shealonecanrescueyoufromthepowerofFortune.Butbecauseyouhaveneedof
somethingtoleanuponuntilyoucanreachthathavenwhichphilosophypromisestoyou,
Iwishmeanwhiletopointouttheconsolationsyoustillhave.Turnyoureyesuponmy
brotherswhiletheylive,youhavenorighttocomplainofFortune.Differentastheir
meritsare,youhavereasontorejoiceinboth.Theonebyhisenergyhasattainedpublic
honourstheotherwithwisdomhasscornedthem.Findcomfortintheprestigeofone
son,intheretirementoftheotherinthedevotionofboth!Thesecretmotivesofmy
brothersIwellknow.
Theonefostershisprestigefortherealpurposeofsheddinglustreuponyouthe
otherretiredtoalifeoftranquillityandreposefortherealpurposeofusinghisleisurefor
you.ItwaskindofFortunesotoarrangethelivesofyourchildrenthattheywouldbring
helpandpleasuretoyouyoucanbothbeprotectedbythepositionoftheone,andenjoy
theleisureoftheother.Theywillvieintheirservicestoyou,andtheblankthatonehas
causedwillbefilledbythedevotionoftwo.Icanmakeaconfidantpromiseyouwilllack
nothingexceptthefullnumber.Fromtheseturnyoureyes,too,uponyourgrandchildren
toMarcus,/aamostwinsomelad,thesightofwhomnosorrowcanpossiblywithstand
noone'sheartcanholdasorrowsogreatorsofreshthathisembracewillnotsootheit.
Whosetearswouldhismerrimentnotstay?Whoseheartcontracted
<Ess2479>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,xviii.59
bypainwillhislivelyprattlenotrelease?Whomwillhisplayfulnessnotprovoketomirth?
Whomintentuponhisownthoughtswillhenotattracttohimselfanddivertbythechatter
thatnoonewillwearyof?Ipraythegodsthatwemayhavethegoodfortunetodiebefore
hedoes!MayallthecrueltyofFatebeexhaustedandstopatmewhatevergriefyouare
doomedtosufferasamother,whateverasagrandmothermayitallbeshiftedtome!
Mayalltherestofmybandbeblestwithnochangeintheirlot.Imakenocomplaintofmy
childlessness,noneofmypresentfortuneonlyletmebeascapegoatforthefamily,and
knowthatitwillhavenomoresorrow.
HoldtoyourbosomNovatilla,whososoonwillpresentyouwith
greatgrandchildren,whomIhadsotransferredtomyself,hadsoadoptedasmyown,
thatinlosingmeshemaywellseemtobeanorphanalthoughherfatherisstilllivingdo
youcherishherformealso!Fortunerecentlysnatchedfromherhermother,butyouby
youraffectioncanseetoitthatsheshallbutmourn,andnotreallyknow,hermother's
loss.Nowisthetimetoorderhercharacter,nowisthetimetoshapeitinstructionthatis
stampedupontheplasticyearsleavesadeepermark.Letherbecomeaccustomedto
yourconversation,letherbemouldedtoyourpleasureyouwillgivehermuchevenifyou
givehernothingbutyourexample.Suchasacreddutyasthiswillbringtoyourelieffor
onlyphilosophyoranhonourableoccupationcanturnfromitsdistresstheheartthat
sorrowsfromaffection.
AmongyourgreatcomfortsIwouldcountyourfatheralso,werehenotnow
absent.Asitis,never
<Ess2481>
TOHELVIA,CONSOLATION,xviii.9xix.3
theless,letyourloveforhimmakeyouthinkofwhathisisforyou,andyouwillunderstand
howmuchmorejustitisthatyoushouldbepreservedforhimthansacrificedforme.
Wheneverexcessivegriefassailsyouwithitspowerandbidsyousubmit,doyouthinkof
yourfather!Itistruethat,bygivingtohimsomanygrandchildrenand
greatgrandchildren,youhavesavedyourselffrombeinghissoletreasurenevertheless
thecrowningpleasureofhishappylifedependsonyon.Whilehelives,itiswrongto
complainbecauseyouhavelived.OfyourgreatestsourceofcomfortIhavethusfarsaid
nothingyoursister,/athatheartmostloyaltoyou,uponwhichwithoutreserveyouunload
allyourcares,whoforallofushasthefeelingofamother.Withhertearsyouhave
mingledyours,andinherarmsyoufirstlearnedtobreatheagain.Whilesheclosely
sharesallyourfeelings,yetinmycaseitisnotforyoursakeonlythatshegrieves.Itwas
inherarmsthatIwascarriedtoRome,itwasbyherdevotedandmotherlynursingthatI
recoveredfromalengthenedillnesssheitwaswho,whenIwasstandingforthe
quaestorship,gavemegeneroussupportshe,wholackedthecourageevenfor
conversationoraloudgreeting,inordertohelpme,conqueredhershynessbyherlove.
Neitherherretiredmodeoflife,norhermodesty,sooldfashionedamidthegreat
boldnessofpresentwomen,norherquietness,norherhabitsofseclusionanddevotion
toleisurepreventedheratallfrombecomingevenambitiousinordertohelpme.She,my
dearestmother,isthesourceofcomfortfromwhichyouwillgainnewstrength.Toher
attachyourselfascloselyasyoucan,inherembraces
<Ess2483>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,xix.36
enfoldyourselfmostclosely.Thosewhoareingriefarepronetoavoidtheonestheylove
mostdearly,andtoseeklibertyfortheindulgenceoftheirsorrow.Doyou,however,
sharewithheryoureverythoughtwhetheryouwishtoretainortolayasideyourmood,
youwillfindinhereithertheendofyoursorroworacomradeinit.ButifIknowrightlythe
wisdomofthismostperfectwoman,shewiltnotsufferyoutobeconsumedbyagriefthat
willprofityounothing,andshewillrecounttoyouanexperienceofherown,whichImyself
alsowitnessed.
Intheverymidstofavoyageshelostherdearlybelovedhusband,myuncle,
whomshehadmarriedwhenamaidennevertheless,sheboreupbravely,enduringat
thesametimebothgriefandfear,and,overmasteringthestorm,borehisbodysafeto
landamidtheshipwreck.Ohowmanynobledeedsofwomenareunknowntofame!If
shehadhadthegoodfortunetoliveinthedaysofoldwhenmenwerefrankinadmiration
ofheroicdeeds,withwhatrivalryofgeniuswouldherpraisebesungawifewhoforgetful
ofherownweakness,forgetfulofthesea,whicheventhestoutestheartsmustdread,
exposedherownlifetoperiltogiveanotherburial,and,whilesheplannedherhusband's
funeral,hadnofearatallaboutherown!She/awhogaveherselftodeathinplaceofher
husbandhasfamefromthesongsofallpoets.Butforawifetoseekburialforher
husbandattheriskofherownlifeisfarmoreforshewho,enduringequaldanger,has
smallerrecompenseshowsgreaterlove.
Afterthisnoonecanbesurprisedthatthroughoutthesixteenyearsduringwhich
herhusbandwas
<Ess2485>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,xix.6
governorofEgyptshewasneverseeninpublic,neveradmittedanativetoherhouse,
soughtnofavourfromherhusband,norsufferedanytobesoughtfromherself.Andsoa
provincethatwasgossipyandingeniousindevisinginsultsforitsrulers,oneinwhich
eventhosewhoshunnedwrongdoingdidnotescapeillfame,respectedherasasingular
exampleofblamelessness,restrainedaltogetherthelicenceoftheirtonguesamost
difficultthingforapeoplewhotakepleasureinevendangerouswitticismsandtoday
everhopes,althoughitneverexpects,toseeonelikeher,Itwouldbemuchtohercreditif
shehadwontheapprovaloftheprovinceforsixteenyearsthatsheescapeditsnoticeis
stillmore.Idonotcitethesethingsforthepurposeofrecountingherpraisesfortolist
themsoscantilyistodotheminjusticebutinorderthatyoumayunderstandthe
highmindednessofawomanwhohassubmittedneithertotheloveofpowernortothe
loveofmoneythoseattendantsandcursesofallauthoritywho,withshipdisabledand
nowviewingherownshipwreck,wasnotdeterredbythefearofdeathfromclingingtoher
lifelesshusbandandseeking,nothowshemightescapefromtheship,buthowshe
mighttakehimwithher.Youmustshowacouragetomatchhers,mustrecallyourmind
fromgrief,andstrivethatnoonemaythinkthatyouregretyourmotherhood.But
because,thoughyouhavedoneeverything,yourthoughtsmustnecessarilyrevertat
timestome,anditmustbethatunderthecircumstancesnooneofyourchildren
engagesyourmindsooftennotthattheothersarelessdear,butthatitisnaturaltolay
thehandmoreoftenonthepartthathurtshearnowhowyoumustthinkofme.Iamas
happyand
<Ess2487>
TOHELVIAONCONSOLATION,xx.12
cheerfulaswhencircumstanceswerebest.Indeed,theyarenowbest,sincemymind,
freefromallotherengrossment,hasleisureforitsowntasks,andnowfindsjoyinlighter
studies,now,beingeagerforthetruth,mountstotheconsiderationofitsownnatureand
thenatureoftheuniverse.Itseeksknowledge,first,ofthelandsandwheretheybe,then
ofthelawsthatgoverntheencompassingseawithitsalternationsofebbandflow.Then
ittakeskenofalltheexpanse,chargedwithterrors,thatliesbetweenheavenandearth
thisnearerspace,disturbedbythunder,lightning,blastsofwinds,andthedownfallofrain
andsnowandhail.Finally,havingtraversedthelowerspaces,itburststhroughtothe
heightsabove,andthereenjoysthenoblestspectacleofthingsdivine,and,mindfulofits
ownimmortality,itproceedstoallthathasbeenandwilleverbethroughouttheagesofall
time.
<Ess2489>