to those who do not believe in the gods, and who betray their country,
and do their impure deeds when they have shut the doors. If then
everything else is common to all that I have mentioned, there remains
that which is peculiar to the good man, to be pleased and content with
what happens, and with the thread which is spun for him; and not to
defile the divinity which is planted in his breast, nor disturb it by a
crowd of images, but to preserve it tranquil, following it obediently as
a god, neither saying anything contrary to the truth, nor doing anything
contrary to justice. And if all men refuse to believe that he lives a
simple, modest, and contented life, he is neither angry with any of them,
nor does he deviate from the way which leads to the end of life, to which
a man ought to come pure, tranquil, ready to depart, and without any
compulsion perfectly reconciled to his lot.




BOOK IV.


1. That which rules within, when it is according to nature, is so
affected with respect to the events which happen, that it always easily
adapts itself to that which is possible and is presented to it. For it
requires no definite material, but it moves towards its purpose, under
certain conditions, however; and it makes a material for itself out of
that which opposes it, as fire lays hold of what falls into it, by which
a small light would have been extinguished: but when the fire is strong,
it soon appropriates to itself the matter which is heaped on it, and
consumes it, and rises higher by means of this very material.