and here consider; Thou art an old man; suffer not that excellent
part to be brought in subjection, and to become slavish:
suffer it not to be drawn up and down with unreasonable and
unsociable lusts and motions, as it were with wires and nerves;
suffer it not any more, either to repine at anything now present,
or to fear and fly anything to come, which the destiny
hath appointed thee.

XVII. Whatsoever proceeds from the gods immediately, that any
man will grant totally depends from their divine providence.
As for those things that are commonly said to happen by fortune,
even those must be conceived to have dependence from nature,
or from that first and general connection, and concatenation of all
those things, which more apparently by the divine providence are
administered and brought to pass. All things flow from thence:
and whatsoever it is that is, is both necessary, and conducing
to the whole (part of which thou art), and whatsoever it is that
is requisite and necessary for the preservation of the general,
must of necessity for every particular nature, be good and behoveful.
And as for the whole, it is preserved, as by the perpetual mutation
and conversion of the simple elements one into another, so also
by the mutation, and alteration of things mixed and compounded.
Let these things suffice thee; let them be always unto thee,
as thy general rules and precepts. As for thy thirst after books,
away with it with all speed, that thou die not murmuring and complaining,
but truly meek and well satisfied, and from thy heart thankful
unto the gods.

THE SECOND BOOK