第 35 节
作者:美丽心点      更新:2021-02-20 16:51      字数:9321
  able。 There is nothing more shameful than perfidious friendship。 Above all things; that must be avoided。  However true goodness; simplicity; and kindness cannot so be hidden; but that as we have already said in the very eyes and countenance they will show themselves。
  XV。  To live happily is an inward power of the soul; when she is affected with indifferency; towards those things that are by their nature indifferent。  To be thus affected she must consider all worldly objects both divided and whole:  remembering withal that no object can of itself beget any opinion in us; neither can come to us; but stands without still and quiet; but that we ourselves beget; and as it were print in ourselves opinions concerning them。 Now it is in our power; not to print them; and if they creep in and lurk in some corner; it is in our power to wipe them off。 Remembering moreover; that this care and circumspection of thine; is to continue but for a while; and then thy life will be at an end。 And what should hinder; but that thou mayest do well with all these things?  For if they be according to nature; rejoice in them; and let them be pleasing and acceptable unto thee。  But if they be against nature; seek thou that which is according to thine own nature; and whether it be for thy credit or no; use all possible speed for the attainment of it:  for no man ought to be blamed; for seeking his own good and happiness。
  XVI。  Of everything thou must consider from whence it came; of what things it doth consist; and into what it will be changed: what will be the nature of it; or what it will be like unto when it is changed; and that it can suffer no hurt by this change。 And as for other men's either foolishness or wickedness; that it may not trouble and grieve thee; first generally thus; What reference have I unto these? and that we are all born for one another's good:  then more particularly after another consideration; as a ram is first in a flock of sheep; and a bull in a herd of cattle; so am I born to rule over them。  Begin yet higher; even from this:  if atoms be not the beginning of all things; than which to believe nothing can be more absurd; then must we needs grant that there is a nature; that doth govern the universe。 If such a nature; then are all worse things made for the better's sake; and all better for one another's sake。  Secondly; what manner of men they be; at board; and upon their beds; and so forth。 But above all things; how they are forced by their opinions that they hold; to do what they do; and even those things that they do; with what pride and self…conceit they do them。 Thirdly; that if they do these things rightly; thou hast no reason to be grieved。  But if not rightly; it must needs be that they do them against their wills; and through mere ignorance。 For as; according to Plato's opinion; no soul doth willingly err; so by consequent neither doth it anything otherwise than it ought; but against her will。  Therefore are they grieved; whensoever they hear themselves charged; either of injustice; or unconscionableness; or covetousness; or in general; of any injurious kind of dealing towards their neighbours。  Fourthly; that thou thyself doest transgress in many things; and art even such another as they are。 And though perchance thou doest forbear the very act of some sins; yet hast thou in thyself an habitual disposition to them; but that either through fear; or vainglory; or some such other ambitious foolish respect; thou art restrained。  Fifthly; that whether they have sinned or no; thou doest not understand perfectly。 For many things are done by way of discreet policy; and generally a man must know many things first; before he be able truly and judiciously to judge of another man's action。 Sixthly; that whensoever thou doest take on grievously; or makest great woe; little doest thou remember then that a man's life is but for a moment of time; and that within a while we shall all be in our graves。  Seventhly; that it is not the sins and transgressions themselves that trouble us properly; for they have their existence in their minds and understandings only; that commit them; but our own opinions concerning those sins。 Remove then; and be content to part with that conceit of thine; that it is a grievous thing; and thou hast removed thine anger。 But how should I remove it?  How? reasoning with thyself that it is not shameful。  For if that which is shameful; be not the only true evil that is; thou also wilt be driven whilest thou doest follow the common instinct of nature; to avoid that which is evil; to commit many unjust things; and to become a thief; and anything; that will make to the attainment of thy intended worldly ends。 Eighthly; how many things may and do oftentimes follow upon such fits of anger and grief; far more grievous in themselves; than those very things which we are so grieved or angry for。 Ninthly; that meekness is a thing unconquerable; if it be true and natural; and not affected or hypocritical。  For how shall even the most fierce and malicious that thou shalt conceive; be able to hold on against thee; if thou shalt still continue meek and loving unto him; and that even at that time; when he is about to do thee wrong; thou shalt be well disposed; and in good temper; with all meekness to teach him; and to instruct him better? As for example; My son; we were not born for this; to hurt and annoy one another; it will be thy hurt not mine; my son: and so to show him forcibly and fully; that it is so in very deed: and that neither bees do it one to another; nor any other creatures that are naturally sociable。  But this thou must do; not scoffingly; not by way of exprobation; but tenderly without any harshness of words。 Neither must thou do it by way of exercise; or ostentation; that they that are by and hear thee; may admire thee: but so always that nobody be privy to it; but himself alone: yea; though there be more present at the same time。 These nine particular heads; as so many gifts from the Muses; see that thou remember well:  and begin one day; whilest thou art yet alive; to be a man indeed。  But on the other side thou must take heed; as much to flatter them; as to be angry with them: for both are equally uncharitable; and equally hurtful。 And in thy passions; take it presently to thy consideration; that to be angry is not the part of a man; but that to be meek and gentle; as it savours of more humanity; so of more manhood。 That in this; there is strength and nerves; or vigour and fortitude: whereof anger and indignation is altogether void。  For the nearer everything is unto unpassionateness; the nearer it is unto power。 And as grief doth proceed from weakness; so doth anger。 For both; both he that is angry and that grieveth; have received a wound; and cowardly have as it were yielded themselves unto their affections。  If thou wilt have a tenth also; receive this tenth gift from Hercules the guide and leader of the Muses: that is a mad man's part; to look that there should be no wicked men in the world; because it is impossible。  Now for a man to brook well enough; that there should be wicked men in the world; but not to endure that any should transgress against himself; is against all equity; and indeed tyrannical。
  XVII。  Four several dispositions or inclinations there be of the mind and understanding; which to be aware of; thou must carefully observe: and whensoever thou doest discover them; thou must rectify them; saying to thyself concerning every one of them; This imagination is not necessary; this is uncharitable:  this thou shalt speak as another man's slave; or instrument; than which nothing can be more senseless and absurd: for the fourth; thou shalt sharply check and upbraid thyself; for that thou doest suffer that more divine part in thee; to become subject and obnoxious to that more ignoble part of thy body; and the gross lusts and concupiscences thereof。  XVIII。  What portion soever; either of air or fire there be in thee; although by nature it tend upwards; submitting nevertheless to the ordinance of the universe; it abides here below in this mixed body。  So whatsoever is in thee; either earthy; or humid; although by nature it tend downwards; yet is it against its nature both raised upwards; and standing; or consistent。 So obedient are even the elements themselves to the universe; abiding patiently wheresoever (though against their nature) they are placed; until the sound as it were of their retreat; and separation。 Is it not a grievous thing then; that thy reasonable part only should be disobedient; and should not endure to keep its place: yea though it be nothing enjoined that is contrary unto it; but that only which is according to its nature?  For we cannot say of it when it is disobedient; as we say of the fire; or air; that it tends upwards towards its proper element; for then goes it the quite contrary way。 For the motion of the mind to any injustice; or incontinency; or to sorrow; or to fear; is nothing else but a separation from nature。 Also when the mind is grieved for anything that is happened by the divine providence; then doth it likewise forsake its own place。 For it was ordained unto holiness and godliness; which specially consist in an humble submission to God and His providence in all