laboriously passed. Do not then consider life a thing of any value. For
look to the immensity of time behind thee, and to the time which is
before thee, another boundless space. In this infinity then what is the
difference between him who lives three days and him who lives three
generations?

51. Always run to the short way; and the short way is the natural:
accordingly say and do everything in conformity with the soundest reason.
For such a purpose frees a man from trouble, and warfare, and all
artifice and ostentatious display.




BOOK V.


1. In the morning when thou risest unwillingly, let this thought be
present,--I am rising to the work of a human being. Why then am I
dissatisfied if I am going to do the things for which I exist and for
which I was brought into the world? Or have I been made for this, to lie
in the bed-clothes and keep myself warm?--But this is more pleasant.--
Dost thou exist then to take thy pleasure, and not at all for action or
exertion? Dost thou not see the little plants, the little birds, the
ants, the spiders, the bees working together to put in order their
several parts of the universe? And art thou unwilling to do the work of a
human being, and dost thou not make haste to do that which is according
to thy nature?--But it is necessary to take rest also.--It is necessary.
However, Nature has fixed bounds to this too: she has fixed bounds to
eating and drinking, and yet thou goest beyond these bounds, beyond what