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Complete Works of Plutarch — Volume 3: Essays and Miscellanies by Plutarch
page 40 of 1068 (03%)
gild over our good things with a glory. But now those that are
persuaded otherwise obstruct the very sweetest part of their
prosperity, and leave themselves nothing to turn to in their
adversity; but when they are in distress, look only to this one
refuge and port, dissolution and insensibility; just as if in a
storm or tempest at sea, some one should, to hearten the rest,
stand up and say to them: Gentlemen, the ship hath never a pilot in
it, nor will Castor and Pollux come themselves to assuage the
violence of the beating waves or to lay the swift careers of the
winds; yet I can assure you there is nothing at all to be dreaded
in all this, for the vessel will be immediately swallowed up by the
sea, or else will very quickly fall off and be dashed in pieces
against the rocks. For this is Epicurus's way of discourse to
persons under grievous distempers and excessive pains. Dost thou
hope for any good from the gods for thy piety? It is thy vanity;
for the blessed and incorruptible Being is not constrained by
either angers or kindnesses. Dost thou fancy something better
after this life than what thou hast here? Thou dost but deceive
thyself; for what is dissolved hath no sense, and that which hath
no sense is nothing to us. Aye; but how comes it then, my good
friend, that you bid me eat and be merry? Why, by Jove, because he
that is in a great storm cannot be far off a shipwreck; and your
extreme danger will soon land you upon Death's strand. Though yet a
passenger at sea, when he is got off from a shattered ship, will
still buoy himself up with some little hope that he may drive his
body to some shore and get out by swimming; but now the poor soul,
according to these men's philosophy,

Is ne'er more seen without the hoary main.
("Odyssey," v. 410.)
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