BOOK VI
and many another such, of man's perishable and transitory life itself. About all these reflect that they have long since been in their graves. What terrible thing then is this for them? What pray for those whose very names are unknown? One thing on earth is worth much—to live out our lives in truth and justice, and in charity with liars and unjust men.
48. When thou wouldst cheer thine heart, think upon the good qualities of thy associates[1]; as for instance, this one's energy, that one's modesty, the generosity of a third, and some other trait of a fourth. For nothing is so cheering as the images of the virtues mirrored in the characters of those who live with us, and presenting themselves in as great a throng as possible. Have these images then ever before thine eyes.
49. Thou art not aggrieved, art thou, at being so many pounds in weight and not three hundred? Then why be aggrieved if thou hast only so many years to live and no more? For as thou art con- tented with the amount of matter allotted thee, so be content also with the time.
50. Try persuasion first, but even though men would say thee nay, act when the principles of justice so direct. Should any one however with- stand thee by force, take refuge in being well-content and unhurt, and utilize the obstacle for the display of some other virtue. Recollect that the impulse thou hadst was conditioned[2] by circumstances,[3] and thine ain was not to do impossibilities. What then was it?
