But
perhaps thou art dissatisfied with that which is assigned to thee out of
the universe.- Recall to thy recollection this alternative; either there
is providence or atoms, fortuitous concurrence of things; or remember the
arguments by which it has been proved that the world is a kind of political
community, and be quiet at last.- But perhaps corporeal things will still
fasten upon thee.- Consider then further that the mind mingles not with
the breath, whether moving gently or violently, when it has once drawn
itself apart and discovered its own power, and think also of all that thou
hast heard and assented to about pain and pleasure, and be quiet at last.-
But perhaps the desire of the thing called fame will torment thee.- See
how soon everything is forgotten, and look at the chaos of infinite time
on each side of the present, and the emptiness of applause, and the changeableness
and want of judgement in those who pretend to give praise, and the narrowness
of the space within which it is circumscribed, and be quiet at last. For
the whole earth is a point, and how small a nook in it is this thy dwelling,
and how few are there in it, and what kind of people are they who will
praise thee.
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