the movements of the senses, to form a just judgment of plausible
appearances, and to take a survey of the nature of the universe and of
the things which happen in it.

27. There are three relations [between thee and other things]: the one to
the body which surrounds thee; the second to the divine cause from which
all things come to all; and the third to those who live with thee.

28. Pain is either an evil to the body--then let the body say what it
thinks of it--or to the soul; but it is in the power of the soul to
maintain its own serenity and tranquillity, and not to think that pain is
an evil. For every judgment and movement and desire and aversion is
within, and no evil ascends so high.

29. Wipe out thy imaginations by often saying to thyself: Now it is in my
power to let no badness be in this soul, nor desire, nor any perturbation
at all; but looking at all things I see what is their nature, and I use
each according to its value.--Remember this power which thou hast from
nature.

30. Speak both in the senate and to every man, whoever he may be,
appropriately, not with any affectation: use plain discourse.

31. Augustus' court, wife, daughter, descendants, ancestors, sister,
Agrippa, kinsmen, intimates, friends, Areius, Maecenas, physicians, and
sacrificing priests,--the whole court is dead. Then turn to the rest, not
considering the death of a single man [but of a whole race], as of the
Pompeii; and that which is inscribed on the tombs,--The last of his race.
Then consider what trouble those before them have had that they might
leave a successor; and then, that of necessity some one must be the last.