If you are in Gyaros, do not let your mind dwell upon life
at Rome, and all the pleasures it offered to you when living
there, and all that would attend your return. Rather be intent on
this--how he that lives in Gyaros may live in Gyaros like a man
of spirit. And if you are at Rome, do not let your mind dwell
upon the life at Athens, but study only how to live at Rome.
Finally, in the room of all other pleasures put this--the
pleasure which springs from concious obedience to God.

CXXXIV

To a good man there is no evil, either in life or death. And
if God supply not food, has He not, as a wise Commander, sounded
the signal for retreat and nothing more? I obey, I follow--
speaking good of my Commander, and praising His acts. For at His
good pleasure I came; and I depart when it pleases Him; and while
I was yet alive that was my work, to sing praises unto God!

CXXXV

Reflect that the chief source of all evils to Man, and of
baseness and cowardice, is not death, but the fear of death.
Against this fear then, I pray you, harden yourself; to this
let all your reasonings, your exercises, your reading tend. Then
shall you know that thus alone are men set free.

CXXXVI

He is free who lives as he wishes to live; to whom none can
do violence, none hinder or compel; whose impulses are unimpeded,
whose desires are attain their purpose, who falls not into what
he would avoid. Whe then would live in error?--None. Who would
live deceived and prone to fall, unjust, intemperate, in abject
whining at his lot?--None. Then doth no wicked man live as he
would, and therefore neither is he free.

CXXXVII

Thus do the more cautious of travellers act. The road is
said to be beset by robbers. The traveller will not venture
alone, but awaits the companionship on the road of an ambassador,
a quaestor or a proconsul. To him he attaches himself and thus
passes by in safety. So doth the wise man in the world. Many are
the companies of robbers and tyrants, many the storms, the
straits, the losses of all a man holds dearest. Whither shall he
fall for refuge--how shall he pass by unassailed? What companion
on the road shall he await for protection? Such and such a
wealthy man, of consular rank? And how shall I be profited, if he
is stripped and falls to lamentation and weeping? And how if my