BOOK VIII.


1. This reflection also tends to the removal of the desire of empty fame,
that it is no longer in thy power to have lived the whole of thy life, or
at least thy life from thy youth upwards, like a philosopher; but both to
many others and to thyself it is plain that thou art far from philosophy.
Thou hast fallen into disorder then, so that it is no longer easy for
thee to get the reputation of a philosopher; and thy plan of life also
opposes it. If then thou hast truly seen where the matter lies, throw
away the thought, How thou shalt seem [to others], and be content if thou
shalt live the rest of thy life in such wise as thy nature wills. Observe
then what it wills, and let nothing else distract thee; for thou hast had
experience of many wanderings without having found happiness anywhere,--
not in syllogisms, nor in wealth, nor in reputation, nor in enjoyment,
nor anywhere. Where is it then? In doing what man's nature requires. How
then shall a man do this? If he has principles from which come his
affects and his acts. What principles? Those which relate to good and
bad: the belief that there is nothing good for man which does not make
him just, temperate, manly, free; and that there is nothing bad which
does not do the contrary to what has been mentioned.

2. On the occasion of every act ask thyself, How is this with respect to
me? Shall I repent of it? A little time and I am dead, and all is gone.
What more do I seek, if what I am now doing is the work of an intelligent
living being, and a social being, and one who is under the same law with
God?