man, riding; unto another, cold baths; unto a third, to go barefoot:
so it is alike to say, The nature of the universe hath prescribed
unto this man sickness, or blindness, or some loss, or damage
or some such thing. For as there, when we say of a physician,
that he hath prescribed anything, our meaning is, that he hath
appointed this for that, as subordinate and conducing to health:
so here, whatsoever doth happen unto any, is ordained unto him
as a thing subordinate unto the fates, and therefore do we
say of such things, that they do happen, or fall together;
as of square stones, when either in walls, or pyramids in a certain
position they fit one another, and agree as it were in an harmony,
the masons say, that they do (sumbainein) as if thou shouldest say,
fall together: so that in the general, though the things be divers
that make it, yet the consent or harmony itself is but one.
And as the whole world is made up of all the particular bodies
of the world, one perfect and complete body, of the same nature that
particular bodies; so is the destiny of particular causes and events
one general one, of the same nature that particular causes are.
What I now say, even they that are mere idiots are not ignorant of:
for they say commonly (touto eferen autw) that is, This his destiny
hath brought upon him. This therefore is by the fates properly
and particularly brought upon this, as that unto this in particular
is by the physician prescribed. These therefore let us accept of in
like manner, as we do those that are prescribed unto us our physicians.
For them also in themselves shall We find to contain many
harsh things, but we nevertheless, in hope of health, and recovery,
accept of them. Let. the fulfilling' and accomplishment of those things
which the common nature bath determined, be unto thee as thy health.
Accept then, and be pleased with whatsoever doth happen,
though otherwise harsh and un-pleasing, as tending to that end,
to the health and welfare of the universe, and to Jove's happiness
and prosperity. For this whatsoever it be, should not have
been produced, had it not conduced to the good of the universe.
For neither doth any ordinary particular nature bring anything
to pass, that is not to whatsoever is within the sphere of its own
proper administration and government agreeable and subordinate.
For these two considerations then thou must be well pleased with
anything that doth happen unto thee. First, because that for thee
properly it was brought to pass, and unto thee it was prescribed;
and that from the very beginning by the series and connection
of the first causes, it hath ever had a reference unto thee.
And secondly, because the good success and perfect welfare,
and indeed the very continuance of Him, that is the Administrator
of the whole, doth in a manner depend on it. For the whole
(because whole, therefore entire and perfect) is maimed, and mutilated,
if thou shalt cut off anything at all, whereby the coherence,
and contiguity as of parts, so of causes, is maintained and preserved.
Of which certain it is, that thou doest (as much as lieth in thee)
cut off, and in some sort violently take somewhat away, as often
as thou art displeased with anything that happeneth.