Book 3
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We should have all our principles ready for use on every occasion,—at dinner, such as relate to dinner; in the bath, such as relate to the bath; in the bed, such as relate to the bed. Let not the stealing god of sleep surprise, Nor creep in slumbers on thy weary eyes, Ere every action of the former day Strictly thou dost, and righteously survey. What have I done? In what have I transgressed? What good, or ill, has this day’s life expressed? Where have I failed in what I ought to do? If evil were thy deeds, repent and mourn; If good, rejoice. Pythagoras, Golden Verses, 40-44.This is Rowe’s translation, as quoted by Mrs. Carter, but not precisely as given in Dacier’s Pythagoras (London, 1707), p. 165.—H.
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We should retain these verses so as to apply them to our use; not merely to say them by rote, as we do with verses in honor of Apollo.
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Again, in a fever we should have such principles ready as relate to a fever; and not, as soon as we are taken ill, forget all. Provided I do but act like a philosopher, let what will happen. Some way or other I depart must from this frail body, whether a fever comes or not. What is it to be a philosopher? Is it not to be prepared against events? Do you not comprehend that you then say, in effect, If I am but prepared to bear all events with calmness, let what will happen? Otherwise you are like an athlete, who, after receiving a blow, should quit the combat. In that case, indeed, you might leave off without a penalty. But what shall we get by leaving off philosophy?
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What, then; ought each of us to say upon every difficult occasion, It was for this that I exercised; it was for this that I trained myself? God says to you, Give me a proof if you have gone through the preparatory combats according to rule; if you have followed a proper diet and proper exercise; if you have obeyed your master; and after this, do you faint at the very time of action?
