nor place nor gymnasia, and not even by his own body, but to remember
the law and to have it before his eyes. And what is the divine law? To
keep a man's own, not to claim that which belongs to others, but to use
what is given, and when it is not given, not to desire it; and when a
thing is taken away, to give it up readily and immediately, and to be
thankful for the time that a man has had the use of it, if you would not
cry for your nurse and mamma. For what matter does it make by what thing
a man is subdued, and on what he depends? In what respect are you better
than he who cries for a girl, if you grieve for a little gymnasium, and
little porticos, and young men, and such places of amusement? Another
comes and laments that he shall no longer drink the water of Dirce. Is
the Marcian water worse than that of Dirce? But I was used to the water
of Dirce. And you in turn will be used to the other. Then if you become
attached to this also, cry for this too, and try to make a verse like
the verse of Euripides,

The hot baths of Nero and the Marcian water.

See how tragedy is made when common things happen to silly men.

When then shall I see Athens again and the Acropolis? Wretch, are you
not content with what you see daily? Have you anything better or greater
to see than the sun, the moon, the stars, the whole earth, the sea? But
if indeed you comprehend Him who administers the whole, and carry him
about in yourself, do you still desire small stones and a beautiful
rock?

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HOW WE MUST ADAPT PRECONCEPTIONS TO PARTICULAR CASES.--What is the first