44. See that thou secure this present time to thyself: for those who
rather pursue posthumous fame do not consider that the men of after time
will be exactly such as these whom they cannot bear now; and both are
mortal. And what is it in any way to thee if these men of after time
utter this or that sound, or have this or that opinion about thee?

45. Take me and cast me where thou wilt; for there I shall keep my divine
part tranquil, that is, content, if it can feel and act conformably to
its proper constitution. Is this [change of place] sufficient reason why
my soul should be unhappy and worse then it was, depressed, expanded,
shrinking, affrighted? and what wilt thou find which is sufficient reason
for this?

46. Nothing can happen to any man which is not a human accident, nor to
an ox which is not according to the nature of an ox, nor to a vine which
is not according to the nature of a vine, nor to a stone which is not
proper to a stone. If then there happens to each thing both what is usual
and natural, why shouldst thou complain? For the common nature brings
nothing which may not be borne by thee.

47. If thou art pained by any external thing, it is not this thing that
disturbs thee, but thy own judgment about it. And it is in thy power to
wipe out this judgment now. But if anything in thy own disposition gives
thee pain, who hinders thee from correcting thy opinion? And even if thou
art pained because thou art not doing some particular thing which seems
to thee to be right, why dost thou not rather act than complain?--But
some insuperable obstacle is in the way?--Do not be grieved then, for the
cause of its not being done depends not on thee.--But it is not worth
while to live, if this cannot be done.--Take thy departure then from