e
the intelligence that guides to the things which appear suitable belongs
also to those who do not believe in the gods, and who betray their
country, and do their impure deeds when they have shut the doors. If
then everything else is common to all that I have mentioned, there
remains that which is peculiar to the good man, to be pleased and
content with what happens, and with the thread which is spun for him;
and not to defile the divinity which is planted in his breast, nor
disturb it by a crowd of images, but to preserve it tranquil, following
it obediently as a god, neither saying anything contrary to the truth,
nor doing anything contrary to justice. And if all men refuse to believe
that he lives a simple, modest, and contented life, he is neither angry
with any of them, nor does he deviate from the way which leads to the
end of life, to which a man ought to come pure, tranquil, ready to
depart, and without any compulsion perfectly reconciled to his lot.

[A] Compare Plato, De Legibus, i. p. 644, [Greek: oti tauta ta
pathe] etc.; and Antoninus, ii. 2; vii. 3; xii. 19.

IV.

That which rules within, when it is according to nature, is so affected
with respect to the events which happened, that it always easily adapts
itself to that which is possible and is presented to it. For it requires
no definite material, but it moves towards its purpose,[A] under certain
conditions, however; and it makes a material for itself out of that
which opposes it, as fire lays hold of what falls into it, by which a
small light would have been extinguished; but when the fire is strong,
it soon appropriates to itself the matter which is heaped on it, and
consumes it, and rises higher by means of this very material.

[A] [Greek: pros tha hegoumena] literally "towards that which
leads." The exact translation is doubtful. See Gataker's note.

2. Let no act be done without a purpose, nor otherwise than according to
the perfect principles of art.

3. Men seek retreats for themselves, houses in the country, sea-shores,
and mountains; and thou too art wont to desire such things very much.
But this is altogether a mark of the most common sort of men, for it is
in thy power whenever thou shalt choose to retire into thyself. For
nowhere either with more quiet or more freedom from trouble does a man
retire than into his own soul, particularly when he has within him such
thoughts that by looking into them he is immediate