Complete Poems

Wisdom, rejoicing in the upright, sways her kingdom. Fortune looms over those entirely ignorant of the truth, and over sluggish bellies, and slaves of Venus, and the shadows of the meat-market. That one [Fortune] inspires the poison of false pleasure and fat tranquility, twisting and re-twisting the rope by which she leads us in our dance. Thus, to the common people, dreams seem true: as the fool imposes upon himself, opining that there is nothing for man beyond his sandal, while another, far removed from him, betakes himself into a different sphere of things. For if he does not accept these things, believed by the vulgar to be true goods, he will create them for himself, being generous with resources: even if he seems destitute to me. Thus, those who have followed the extremes are either one who indulges himself in his sloth, or the other who turns all things upside down. But behold the one in the middle, who, content with himself, having more concern for the service he might render a friend than what he might demand for himself, dwelling with himself, present to himself, alien to none, in every place being the place, and in time being time, and all things to all people, and to himself, and to others, his own within and without. Whence it comes to pass that the [Stoic] portico casts no shadow for this our man; but he walks in the laurel groves of the retired Lyceum. For what sort of man is this, who does not care to offer aid to a man fallen into a pit, calling out with eloquent voice (nay, even without a voice, the wretched man is eloquent in this very thing)? Furthermore, let this man of mine, led forth from both body and soul, not neglect either one. Let him also care for that which is good for both, and which is necessary for both: insofar as, and as far as it is permitted, and what he believes will be beneficial. Not what, from excess or deficiency, might cause harm. For sacred pleasure is the offspring of the mean. To whatever degree one withdraws himself from this, thence it becomes spurious, and licks at the platters and pastries of Epicurus.