and according to the Mind of God.

XXIII

Petrifaction is of two sorts. There is petrifaction of the
understanding; and also of the sense of shame. This happens when
a man obstinately refuses to acknowledge plain truths, and
persists in maintaining what is self-contradictory. Most of us
dread mortification of the body, and would spare no pains to
escape anything of that kind. But of mortification of the soul we
are utterly heedless. With regard, indeed, to the soul, if a man
is in such a state as to be incapable of following or
understanding anything, I grant you we do think him in a bad way.
But mortification of the sense of shame and modesty we go so far
as to dub strength of mind!

XXIV

If we were as intent upon our business as the old fellows at
Rome are upon what interests them, we too might perhaps
accomplish something. I know a man older than I am, now
Superintendent of the Corn-market at Rome, and I remember when he
passed through this place on his way back from exile, what an
account he gave me of his former life, declaring that for the
future, once home again, his only care should be to pass his
remaining years in quiet and tranquility. "For how few years have
I left!" he cried. "That," I said, "you will not do; but the
moment the scent of Rome is in your nostrils, you will forget it
all; and if you can but gain admission to Court, you will be glad
enough to elbow your way in, and thank God for it." "Epictetus,"
he replied, "if ever you find me setting as much as one foot
within the Court, think what you will of me."
Well, as it was, what did he do? Ere ever he entered the
city, he was met by a despatch from the Emperor. He took it, and
forgot the whole of his resolutions. From that moment, he has
been piling one thing upon another. I should like to be beside
him to remind him of what he said when passing this way, and to
add, How much better a prophet I am than you!
What then? do I say man is not made for an active life? Far
from it! . . . But there is a great difference between other
men's occupations and ours. . . . A glance at theirs will make it
clear to you. All day long they do nothing but calculate,
contrive, consult how to wring their profit out of food-stuffs,
farm-plots and the like. . . . Whereas, I entreat you to learn
what the administration of the World is, and what place a Being
endowed with reason holds therein: to consider what you are
yourself, and wherein your Good and Evil consists.

XXV