resolutions and conclusions, should become dead in thee,
and lose their proper power and efficacy to make thee live happy,
as long as those proper and correlative fancies, and representations
of things on which they mutually depend (which continually to stir
up and revive is in thy power,) are still kept fresh and alive?
It is in my power concerning this thing that is happened,
what soever it be, to conceit that which is right and true.
If it be, why then am I troubled? Those things that are
without my understanding, are nothing to it at all:
and that is it only, which doth properly concern me.
Be always in this mind, and thou wilt be right.
Ill. That which most men would think themselves most happy for,
and would prefer before all things, if the Gods would grant it
unto them after their deaths, thou mayst whilst thou livest grant
unto thyself; to live again. See the things of the world again,
as thou hast already seen them. For what is it else to live again?
Public shows and solemnities with much pomp and vanity,
stage plays, flocks and herds; conflicts and con tentions:
a bone thrown to a company of hungry curs; a bait for
greedy fishes; the painfulness, and continual burden-bearing
of wretched ants, the running to and fro of terrified mice:
little puppets drawn up and down with wires and nerves:
these be the objects of the world. among all these thou must
stand steadfast, meekly affected, and free from all manner
of indignation; with this right ratiocination and apprehension;
that as the worth is of those things which a man doth affect,
so is in very deed every man's worth more or less.