Book 2
6
My life is in danger from Caesar.
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And am I not in danger, who dwell at Nicopolis, where there are so many earthquakes? And when you yourself recross the Adriatic, what is then in danger? Is it not your life?
6
Ay, and my convictions also.
6
What, your own? How so? Can any one compel you to have any convictions contrary to your own inclination?
6
But the convictions of others too.
6
And what danger is it of yours, if others have false convictions?
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But I am in danger of being banished.
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What is it to be banished? Only to be somewhere else than at Rome.
6
Yes; but what if I should be sent to Gyaros?A place of banishment.—H.
6
If it be thought best for you, you will go; if not, there is another place than Gyaros whither you are sure to go,—where he who now sends you to Gyaros must go likewise, whether he will or not. Why, then, do you come to these, as to great trials? They are not equal to your powers. So that an ingenuous young man would say, it was not worth while for this to have read and written so much, and to have sat so long listening to this old man. Only remember the distinction between what is your own and what is not your own, and you will never claim what belongs to others. Judicial bench or dungeon, each is but a place,—one high, the other low; but your will is equal to either condition, and if you have a mind to keep it so, it may be so kept. We shall then become imitators of Socrates, when, even in a prison, we are able to write hymns of praise;Diogenes Laertius in his life of Socrates (c. 42) gives the first verse of a hymn thus composed by him.—H. but as we now are, consider whether we could even bear to have another say to us in prison, Shall I read you a hymn of praise? Why do you trouble me; do you not know my sad situation? In such circumstances, am I able to hear hymns? What circumstances? I am going to die. And are all other men to be immortal?
Of divination.
