The
soul of man does violence to itself, first of all, when it becomes an
abscess and, as it were, a tumour on the universe, so far as it can.
For to be vexed at anything which happens is a separation of
ourselves from nature, in some part of which the natures of all other
things are contained. In the next place, the soul does violence to
itself when it turns away from any man, or even moves towards him
with the intention of injuring, such as are the souls of those who
are angry. In the third place, the soul does violence to itself when
it is overpowered by pleasure or by pain. Fourthly, when it plays a
part, and does or says anything insincerely and untruly. Fifthly,
when it allows any act of its own and any movement to be without an
aim, and does anything thoughtlessly and without considering what it
is, it being right that even the smallest things be done with
reference to an end; and the end of rational animals is to follow the
reason and the law of the most ancient city and polity.
(podcast episode) (original Greek)
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