Consider,
for example, the times of Vespasian. Thou wilt see all these things,
people marrying, bringing up children, sick, dying, warring,
feasting, trafficking, cultivating the ground, flattering,
obstinately arrogant, suspecting, plotting, wishing for some to die,
grumbling about the present, loving, heaping up treasure, desiring
counsulship, kingly power. Well then, that life of these people no
longer exists at all. Again, remove to the times of Trajan. Again,
all is the same. Their life too is gone. In like manner view also the
other epochs of time and of whole nations, and see how many after
great efforts soon fell and were resolved into the elements. But
chiefly thou shouldst think of those whom thou hast thyself known
distracting themselves about idle things, neglecting to do what was
in accordance with their proper constitution, and to hold firmly to
this and to be content with it. And herein it is necessary to
remember that the attention given to everything has its proper value
and proportion. For thus thou wilt not be dissatisfied, if thou
appliest thyself to smaller matters no further than is fit.
(podcast episode) (original Greek part 1, part 2)
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