which both unto the Gods and men is common, there can be no just cause
of grief or sorrow. For where the fruit and benefit of an action
well begun and prosecuted according to the proper constitution
of man may be reaped and obtained, or is sure and certain,
it is against reason that any damage should there be suspected.
In all places, and at all times, it is in thy power religiously
to embrace whatsoever by God's appointment is happened unto thee,
and justly to converse with those men, whom thou hast to do with,
and accurately to examine every fancy that presents itself,
that nothing may slip and steal in, before thou hast rightly
apprehended the true nature of it.
XXX. Look not about upon other men's minds and understandings;
but look right on forwards whither nature, both that of the universe,
in those things that happen unto thee; and thine in particular,
in those things that are done by thee: doth lead, and direct thee.
Now every one is bound to do that, which is consequent and agreeable
to that end which by his true natural constitution he was ordained unto.
As for all other things, they are ordained for the use
of reasonable creatures: as in all things we see that that
which is worse and inferior, is made for that which is better.
Reasonable creatures, they are ordained one for another.
That therefore which is chief in every man's constitution, is,
that he intend the common good. The second is, that he yield
not to any lusts and motions of the flesh. For it is the part
and privilege of the reasonable and intellective faculty,
that she can so bound herself, as that neither the sensitive,
nor the appetitive faculties, may not anyways prevail upon her.
For both these are brutish. And therefore over both she
challengeth mastery, and cannot anyways endure, if in her right temper,
to be subject unto either. And this indeed most justly.
For by nature she was ordained to command all in the body.
The third thing proper to man by his constitution, is, to avoid
all rashness and pre-cipitancy; and not to be subject to error.
To these things then, let the mind apply herself and go straight on,
without any distraction about other things, and she hath her end,
and by consequent her happiness.