the present, loving, heaping up treasure, desiring consulship, kingly
power. Well, then, that life of these people no longer exists at all.
Again, remove to the times of Trajan. Again, all is the same. Their life
too is gone. In like manner view also the other epochs of time and of
whole nations, and see how many after great efforts soon fell and were
resolved into the elements. But chiefly thou shouldst think of those whom
thou hast thyself known distracting themselves about idle things,
neglecting to do what was in accordance with their proper constitution,
and to hold firmly to this and to be content with it. And herein it is
necessary to remember that the attention given to everything has its
proper value and proportion. For thus thou wilt not be dissatisfied, if
thou appliest thyself to smaller matters no further than is fit.

33. The words which were formerly familiar are now antiquated: so also
the names of those who were famed of old, are now in a manner antiquated,
Camillus, Caeso, Volesus, Leonnatus, and a little after also Scipio and
Cato, then Augustus, then also Hadrianus and Antoninus. For all things
soon pass away and become a mere tale, and complete oblivion soon buries
them. And I say this of those who have shone in a wondrous way. For the
rest, as soon as they have breathed out their breath, they are gone, and
no man speaks of them. And, to conclude the matter, what is even an
eternal remembrance? A mere nothing. What then is that about which we
ought to employ our serious pains? This one thing, thoughts just, and
acts social, and words which never lie, and a disposition which gladly
accepts all that happens, as necessary, as usual, as flowing from a
principle and source of the same kind.

34. Willingly give thyself up to Clotho [one of the fates], allowing her
to spin thy thread into whatever thing she pleases.