2. Let no act be done without a purpose, nor otherwise than according to
the perfect principles of art.

3. Men seek retreats for themselves, houses in the country, sea-shores,
and mountains; and thou too art wont to desire such things very much. But
this is altogether a mark of the most common sort of men, for it is in
thy power whenever thou shalt choose to retire into thyself. For nowhere
either with more quiet or more freedom from trouble does a man retire
than into his own soul, particularly when he has within him such thoughts
that by looking into them he is immediately in perfect tranquillity; and
I affirm that tranquillity is nothing else than the good ordering of the
mind. Constantly then give to thyself this retreat, and renew thyself;
and let thy principles be brief and fundamental, which, as soon as thou
shalt recur to them, will be sufficient to cleanse the soul completely,
and to send thee back free from all discontent with the things to which
thou returnest. For with what art thou discontented? With the badness of
men? Recall to thy mind this conclusion, that rational animals exist for
one another, and that to endure is a part of justice, and that men do
wrong involuntarily; and consider how many already, after mutual enmity,
suspicion, hatred, and fighting, have been stretched dead, reduced to
ashes; and be quiet at last.--But perhaps thou art dissatisfied with that
which is assigned to thee out of the universe.--Recall to thy
recollection this alternative; either there is providence or atoms
[fortuitous concurrence of things]; or remember the arguments by which it
has been proved that the world is a kind of political community [and be
quiet at last].--But perhaps corporeal things will still fasten upon
thee.--Consider then further that the mind mingles not with the breath,
whether moving gently or violently, when it has once drawn itself apart
and discovered its own power, and think also of all that thou hast heard
and assented to about pain and pleasure [and be quiet at last].--But