friends. And the gods too aid them in all ways, by dreams, by signs,
towards the attainment of those things on which they set a value.

28. The periodic movements of the universe are the same, up and down from
age to age. And either the universal intelligence puts itself in motion
for every separate effect, and if this is so, be thou content with that
which is the result of its activity: or it puts itself in motion once,
and everything else comes by way of sequence in a manner; or indivisible
elements are the origin of all things.--In a word, if there is a god, all
is well; and if chance rules, do not thou also be governed by it (VI. 44;
VII. 75).

Soon will the earth cover us all: then the earth, too, will change, and
the things also which result from change will continue to change forever,
and these again forever. For if a man reflects on the changes and
transformations which follow one another like wave after wave and their
rapidity, he will despise everything which is perishable (XII. 21).

29. The universal cause is like a winter torrent: it carries everything
along with it. But how worthless are all these poor people who are
engaged in matters political, and, as they suppose, are playing the
philosopher! All drivellers. Well then, man: do what nature now requires.
Set thyself in motion, if it is in thy power, and do not look about thee
to see if any one will observe it; nor yet expect Plato's Republic: but
be content if the smallest thing goes on well, and consider such an event
to be no small matter. For who can change men's opinions? and without a
change of opinions what else is there than the slavery of men who groan
while they pretend to obey? Come now and tell me of Alexander and
Philippus and Demetrius of Phalerum. They themselves shall judge whether
they discovered what the common nature required, and trained themselves