Kitap 2
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No one, therefore, in a state of fear, or sorrow, or perturbation, is free; but whoever is delivered from sorrow, fear, and perturbation, by the same means is delivered likewise from slavery. How shall we believe you, then, good legislators, when you say, We allow none to be educated but the free? For the philosophers say, We allow none to be free but the wise; that is, God doth not allow it.
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What, then; when any person hath turned his slave about before the consul,The prescribed form of manumission.—H. has he done nothing?
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Yes, he has.
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What?
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He has turned his slave about before the consul.
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Nothing more?
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Yes. He pays a fine for him.
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Well, then; is not the man who has gone through this ceremony rendered free?
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Only so far as he is emancipated from perturbation. Pray, have you, who are able to give this freedom to others, no master of your own? Are you not a slave to money; to a girl; to a boy; to a tyrant; to some friend of a tyrant? Else why do you tremble when any one of these is in question? Therefore, I so often repeat to you, let this be your study and constant pursuit, to learn in what it is necessary to be courageous, and in what cautious; courageous against the inevitable, cautious so far as your will can control.
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But have I not read my essay to you? Do not you know what I am doing?
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In what?
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In my essays.
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Show me in what state you are as to desires and aversions; whether you do not fail of what you wish, and incur what you would avoid; but, as to these commonplace essays, if you are wise, you will take them, and destroy them.
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Why? Did not Socrates write?
