Essays on Theodicy

OF MR. LEIBNITZ.

honors, for which he never had cause to repent entering. Moreover, without considering the glorious advantages he drew from it, let us say that even if the profession of Letters The "Republic of Letters," referring to the world of scholarship, literature, and intellectual exchange. gave to those who embrace it nothing but simple pleasures of the mind; these pleasures—which are at their core the most attractive, the sweetest, and most honorable of life, suitable for all times, all ages, and all places—would sufficiently justify the merit of his choice. Letters (a) (said the man of the world who best knew their value) "form youth and delight the elderly; they comfort in adversity, and they enhance the luster of fortune in prosperity. Everywhere they spread innocent pleasures, and never hinder; at night they converse with us, they relieve our boredom in the countryside, they refresh us during travels." This is a famous passage from Cicero’s speech Pro Archia Poeta.

His Education. The Father of Mr. Leibnitz died on September 5th, 1652, and left him at the age of six, with a very modest estate which had to be divided among children from different marriages. He was not yet in a state to feel the full extent of this loss, of which the most common and saddest effect is a poor education. Fortunately for him,

(a) Cicero in his beautiful Defense for Archias, in these terms; original Latin: "Studia adolescentiam alunt, senectutem oblectant, secundas res ornant, adversis perfugium ac solatium præbent; delectant domi, non impediunt foris; pernoctant nobiscum, peregrinantur, rusticantur." "These studies nourish youth, delight old age, adorn prosperity, provide a refuge and solace in adversity; they delight at home, do not hinder abroad; they stay overnight with us, they travel with us, they go to the countryside with us."