what those things are! yea but they are things that others much
care for, and highly esteem of. Wilt thou therefore be a fool too ?
Once I was ; let that suffice.

XXX. Let death surprise rue when it will, and where it will,
I may be a happy man, nevertheless.

For he is a happy man, who in his lifetime dealeth unto
himself a happy lot and portion. A happy lot and portion is,
good inclinations of the soul, good desires, good actions.


THE SIXTH BOOK

I. The matter itself, of which the universe doth consist,
is of itself very tractable and pliable. That rational essence
that doth govern it, bath in itself no cause to do evil.
It bath no evil in itsell; neither can it do anything that is evil:
neither can anything be hurt by it. And all things are done
and determined according to its will and prescript.

II. Be it all one unto thee, whether half frozen or well warm;
whether only slumbering, or after a full sleep;
whether discommended or commended thou do thy duty:
or whether dying or doing somewhat else; for that also 'to die,'
must among the rest be reckoned as one of the duties and actions
of our lives.

III. Look in, let not either the proper quality, or the true worth
of anything pass thee, before thou hast fully apprehended it.