BOOK VI

The best way of revenge is not to imitate the injury.  Be always doing something serviceable to mankind; and let this constant generosity be your only pleasure, not forgetting a due regard to God.

The world is either an aggregation of atoms, or it is a unity ruled by Law and Providence.  If the first, what should I stay for, where Nature is a chaos and things are blindly jumbled together?  But if there is a Providence, then I adore the great Governor of the world, and am at ease and cheerful in the prospect of protection.

Suppose you had a stepmother and a mother at the same time; though you would pay regard to the first, your converse would be principally with the latter.  Let the court and philosophy represent these two relations to me.

If an antagonist in the circus tears our flesh with his nails, or tilts against us with his head, we do not cry out foul play, nor are we offended, nor do we suspect him afterwards as a dangerous person.  Let us act thus in the other instances of life.  When we receive a blow, let us think that we are but at a trial of skill, and depart without malice or ill-will.

It is enough to do my duty; as for other things, I will not be disturbed about them.

The vast continents of Europe and of Asia are but corners of the creation; the ocean is but a drop, and Mount Athos but a grain in respect of the universe; and the present instant of time is but a point to the extent of eternity.

When you have a mind to divert your fancy, try to consider the good qualities of your acquaintance—­such as the enterprising vigour of this man, the modesty of another, the liberality of a third, and so on.  Let this practice be always at hand.

BOOK VII

What is wickedness?  It is nothing new.  When you are in danger of being shocked, consider that the sight is nothing but what you have frequently seen already.  All ages and histories, towns and families, are full of the same stories; there is nothing new to be met with, but all things are common and quickly over.

Nature works up the matter of the universe like wax; now it is a horse; soon afterwards you will find it melted down and run into the figure of a tree; then it is a man; and so on.  Only for a brief time is it fixed in any species.

Antisthenes said:  “It is the fate of princes to be ill spoken of for their good deeds.”

Consider the course of the stars as if you were driving through the sky and kept them company.  Such contemplations as these scour off the rust contracted by conversing here below.

Rational creatures are designed for the advantage of each other.  A sociable temper is that for which human nature was principally intended.

It is a saying of Plato’s that no one misses the truth by his own goodwill.  The same may be said of honesty, sobriety, good nature, and the like.  Remember this, for it will help to sweeten your temper.