5. This general introduction over, let us speak more particularly
of the influence that wisdom can have upon destiny. And, the
occasion presenting itself here, I shall do well perhaps to state
now, at the very beginning, that in this book it will be vain to
seek for any rigorous method. For indeed it is but composed of oft-
interrupted thoughts, that entwine themselves with more or less
system around two or three subjects. Its object is not to convince;
there is nothing it professes to prove. Besides, in life books have
by no means the importance that writers and readers claim for them.
We should regard them as did a friend of mine, a man of great
wisdom, who listened one day to the recital of the last moments of
the Emperor Antoninus Pius. Antoninus Pius--who was perhaps truly
the best and most perfect man this world has known, better even than
Marcus Aurelius; for in addition to the virtues, the kindness, the
deep feeling and wisdom of his adopted son, he had something of
greater virility and energy, of simpler happiness, something more
real, spontaneous, closer to everyday life--Antoninus Pius lay on
his bed, awaiting the summons of death, his eyes dim with unbidden
tears, his limbs moist with the pale sweat of agony. At that moment
there entered the captain of the guard, come to demand the
watchword, such being the custom. AEQUANIMITAS--EVENNESS OF MIND, he
replied, as he turned his head to the eternal shadow. It is well
that we should love and admire that word, said my friend. But better
still, he added, to have it in us to sacrifice, unknown to others,
unknown even to ourselves, the time fortune accords us wherein to
admire it, in favour of the first little useful, living deed that
the same fortune incessantly offers to every willing heart.

6. "It was doubtless the will of their destiny that men and events