city of Zeus?

24. Occupy thyself with few things, says the philosopher, if thou wouldst
be tranquil.--But consider if it would not be better to say, Do what is
necessary, and whatever the reason of the animal which is naturally
social requires, and as it requires. For this brings not only the
tranquillity which comes from doing well, but also that which comes from
doing few things. For the greatest part of what we say and do being
unnecessary, if a man takes this away, he will have more leisure and less
uneasiness. Accordingly, on every occasion a man should ask himself, Is
this one of the unnecessary things? Now a man should take away not only
unnecessary acts, but also unnecessary thoughts, for thus superfluous
acts will not follow after.

25. Try how the life of the good man suits thee, the life of him who is
satisfied with his portion out of the whole, and satisfied with his own
just acts and benevolent disposition.

26. Hast thou seen those things? Look also at these. Do not disturb
thyself. Make thyself all simplicity. Does any one do wrong? It is to
himself that he does the wrong. Has anything happened to thee? Well: out
of the universe from the beginning everything which happens has been
apportioned and spun out to thee. In a word, thy life is short. Thou must
turn to profit the present by the aid of reason and justice. Be sober in
thy relaxation.

27. Either it is a well-arranged universe [Footnote: 4] or a chaos
huddled together, but still a universe. But can a certain order subsist
in thee, and disorder in the All? And this too when all things are so
separated and diffused and sympathetic.