ng
which makes us acquainted with the boundless extent of nature, and the
universe, and which even while we remain in this world discovers to us
both heaven, earth, and sea.

XXXVII. If, then, honour and riches have no value, what is there else to
be afraid of? Banishment, I suppose; which is looked on as the greatest
evil. Now, if the evil of banishment proceeds not from ourselves, but from
the froward disposition of the people, I have just now declared how
contemptible it is. But if to leave one's country be miserable, the
provinces are full of miserable men; very few of the settlers in which
ever return to their country again. But exiles are deprived of their
property! What, then! has there not been enough said on bearing poverty?
But with regard to banishment, if we examine the nature of things, not the
ignominy of the name, how little does it differ from constant travelling?
in which some of the most famous philosophers have spent their whole life:
as Xenocrates, Crantor, Arcesilas, Lacydes, Aristotle, Theophrastus, Zeno,
Cleanthes, Chrysippus, Antipater, Carneades, Panaetius, Clitomachus, Philo,
Antiochus, Posidonius, and innumerable others; who from their first
setting out never returned home again. Now what ignominy can a wise man be
affected with (for it is of such a one that I am speaking) who can be
guilty of nothing which deserves it; for there is no occasion to comfort
one who is banished for his deserts. Lastly, they can easily reconcile
themselves to every accident who measure all their objects and pursuits in
life by the standard of pleasure; so that in whatever place that is
supplied, there they may live happily. Thus what Teucer said may be
applied to every case:

Wherever I am happy, is my country.

Socrates, indeed, when he was asked where he belonged to, replied, "The
world;" for he looked upon himself as a citizen and inhabitant of the
whole world. How was it with T. Altibutius? Did he not follow his
philosophical studies with the greatest satisfaction at Athens, although
he was banished? which, however, would not have happened to him, if he had
obeyed the laws of Epicurus, and lived peaceably in the republic. In what
was Epicurus happier, living in his own country, than Metrodorus who lived
at Athens? Or did Plato's happiness exceed that of Xenocrates, or Polemo,
or Arcesilas? Or is that city to be valued much, that banishes all her
good and wise men? Demaratus, the father of our king Ta