§1τὰ ἱμάτια δοκεῖ θερμαίνειν τὸν ἄνθρωπον, οὐκ αὐτὰ δήπου θερμαίνοντα καὶ προσβάλλοντα τὴν θερμότητα καθʼ ἑαυτὸ γὰρ ἕκαστον αὐτῶν ψυχρόν ἐστιν, ᾗ καὶ πολλάκις οἱ καυματιζόμενοι καὶ πυρέττοντες ἐξ ἑτέρων ἕτερα μεταλαμβάνουσιν, ἀλλʼ ἣν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἀναδίδωσιν ἐξ ἑαυτοῦ θερμότητα, ταύτην ἡ ἐσθὴς τῷ σώματι προσπεσοῦσα συνέχει καὶ περιστέλλει, καὶ καθειργνυμένην εἰς τὸ σῶμα οὐκ ἐᾷ πάλιν σκεδάννυσθαι.
Garments seem to warm a person, not that they themselves warm and impart heat of their own accord; for each of them is cold by itself, which is why those who are overheated and feverish often change from one garment to another; but the heat which a person gives off from himself, this the clothing, falling upon the body, keeps together and wraps around, and, shutting it in the body, does not allow it to scatter again.
ταὐτὸ δὴ τοῦτο τοῖς πράγμασιν ὑπάρχον ἐξαπατᾷ τοὺς πολλούς, ὡς, ἂν οἰκίας μεγάλας περιβάλωνται καὶ πλῆθος ἀνδραπόδων καὶ χρημάτων συναγάγωσιν, ἡδέως βιωσομένους.
This very same thing, occurring in human affairs, deceives the multitude, making them think that if they surround themselves with great houses and gather a multitude of slaves and money, they will live pleasantly.
τὸ δʼ ἡδέως ζῆν καὶ ἱλαρῶς οὐκ ἔξωθέν ἐστιν, ἀλλὰ τοὐναντίον ὁ ἄνθρωπος τοῖς περὶ αὑτὸν πράγμασιν ἡδονὴν καὶ χάριν ὥσπερ ἐκ πηγῆς τοῦ ἤθους προστίθησιν. 15
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αἰθομένου δὲ πυρὸς γεραρώτερος οἶκος ἰδέσθαι,
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καὶ πλοῦτος;
But living pleasantly and cheerfully is not from without; on the contrary, a person adds pleasure and grace to the things around him, as if from a spring of his own character. 15 "And when a fire burns, a house is more majestic to behold," and wealth, too?
ἡδίων καὶ δόξα λαμπροτέρα καὶ δύναμις, ἂν τὸ ἀπὸ τῆς ψυχῆς ἔχῃ γῆθος·
Is not wealth sweeter, and glory more brilliant, and power more potent, if it has joy from the soul?
ὅπου καὶ πενίαν καὶ φυγὴν καὶ γῆρας ἐλαφρῶς καὶ προσηνῶς πρὸς εὐκολίαν καὶ πραότητα τρόπου φέρουσιν.
In which state men bear even poverty, exile, and old age lightly and gently, thanks to their easy temper and mildness of character.
§2ὡς γὰρ ἀρώματα τρίβωνας εὐώδεις καὶ ῥάκια ποιεῖ, τοῦ δʼ Ἀγχίσου τὸ σῶμα ἰχῶρα πονηρὸν ἐξεδίδου
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νώτου καταστάζοντα βύσσινον φάρος,
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οὕτω μετʼ ἀρετῆς καὶ δίαιτα πᾶσα καὶ βίος ἄλυπός ἐστι καὶ ἐπιτερπής, ἡ δὲ κακία καὶ τὰ λαμπρὰ φαινόμενα καὶ πολυτελῆ καὶ σεμνὰ μιγνυμένη λυπηρὰ καὶ ναυτιώδη καὶ δυσπρόσδεκτα παρέχει τοῖς κεκτημένοις
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οὗτος μακάριος ἐν ἀγορᾷ νομίζεται· ἐπὰν δʼ ἀνοίξῃ τὰς θύρας, τρισάθλιος,
γυνὴ κρατεῖ πάντων, ἐπιτάττει, μάχετʼ ἀεί. "
καίτοι γυναικὸς οὐ χαλεπῶς ἄν τις ἀπαλλαγείη πονηρᾶς ἀνὴρ ὤν, μὴ ἀνδράποδον πρὸς δὲ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ κακίαν οὐκ ἔστι γραψάμενον ἀπόλειψιν πραγμάτων ἀφεῖσθαι καὶ ἀναπαύεσθαι γενόμενον καθʼ αὑτόν, ἀλλʼ ἀεὶ συνοικοῦσα τοῖς σπλάγχνοις καὶ προσπεφυκυῖα νύκτωρ καὶ μεθʼ ἡμέραν
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εὕει ἄτερ δαλοῖο καὶ ὠμῷ γήραϊ δῶκε,
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βαρεῖα συνέκδημος οὖσα διʼ ἀλαζονείαν καὶ πολυτελὴς σύνδειπνος ὑπὸ λιχνείας καὶ σύγκοιτος ὀδυνηρά, φροντίσι καὶ μερίμναις καὶ ζηλοτυπίαις ἐκκόπτουσα τὸν ὕπνον καὶ διαφθείρουσα.
For as perfumes make coarse cloaks and rags fragrant, whereas the body of Anchises discharged a foul humor, "dripping from his back onto his linen robe," so with virtue every lifestyle and life is painless and delightful, but vice, when mixed with things that appear brilliant, luxurious, and majestic, renders them painful, nauseating, and unwelcome to those who possess them: "This man is deemed happy in the marketplace; but when he opens his doors, he is thrice-miserable; his wife rules over all, commands, and always fights." And yet, a man might easily rid himself of a bad wife, if he is a free man and not a slave; but against one's own vice it is impossible to write a bill of divorcement, to be released from troubles, and to rest by becoming retired by oneself. Instead, vice always cohabits with one's very vitals, cleaving to them night and day, "it scorches without a torch and gives one over to crude old age," being a heavy traveling companion through vanity, a costly dinner partner through gluttony, and a painful bedfellow, driving away and ruining sleep with anxieties, cares, and jealousies.
καὶ γὰρ ὃ καθεύδουσι, τοῦ σώματος ὕπνος ἐστὶ καὶ ἀνάπαυσις, τῆς ψυχῆς πτοῖαι καὶ ὄνειροι καὶ ταραχαὶ διὰ δεισιδαιμονίαν.
Indeed, even when they sleep, for the body there is sleep and rest, but for the soul there are terrors, dreams, and disturbances due to superstition.
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ὅταν δὲ νυστάζοντά μʼ ἡ λύπη λάβῃ,
ἀπόλλυμʼ ὑπὸ τῶν ἐνυπνίων
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φησί τις.
"And when sorrow takes hold of me as I drowse, I am destroyed by dreams," as someone says.
οὕτω δὲ καὶ φθόνος καὶ φόβος καὶ θυμὸς καὶ ἀκολασία διατίθησι.
In this way also envy, fear, anger, and intemperance affect a person.
μεθʼ ἡμέραν μὲν γὰρ ἔξω βλέπουσα καὶ συσχηματιζομένη πρὸς ἑτέρους ἡ κακία δυσωπεῖται καὶ παρακαλύπτει τὰ πάθη, καὶ παντάπασι ταῖς ὁρμαῖς ἐκδίδωσιν ἑαυτὴν ἀλλʼ ἀντιτείνει καὶ μάχεται πολλάκις· ἐν δὲ τοῖς ὕπνοις ἀποφυγοῦσα δόξας καὶ νόμους καὶ πορρωτάτω γενομένη τοῦ δεδιέναι τε καὶ αἰδεῖσθαι, πᾶσαν ἐπιθυμίαν κινεῖ καὶ ἐπανεγείρει τὸ κακόηθες καὶ ἀκόλαστον.
For during the day, vice, looking outward and conforming itself to others, is put out of countenance and veils its passions, and does not yield itself entirely to its impulses, but often resists and fights; but in sleep, escaping reputations and laws, and becoming farthest removed from fearing and feeling shame, it moves every desire and awakens its malicious and intemperate nature.
μητρί τε γὰρ ἐπιχειρεῖ μίγνυσθαι,
ὥς φησιν ὁ Πλάτων; καὶ βρώσεις ἀθέσμους προσφέρεται καὶ πράξεως οὐδεμιᾶς ἀπέχεται, ἀπολαύουσα τοῦ παρανομεῖν ὡς ἀνυστὸν ἐστιν εἰδώλοις καὶ φάσμασιν εἰς οὐδεμίαν ἡδονὴν οὐδὲ τελείωσιν τοῦ ἐπιθυμοῦντος τελευτῶσιν, ἀλλὰ κινεῖν μόνον καὶ διαγριαίνειν τὰ πάθη καὶ τὰ νοσήματα δυναμένοις.
"For it attempts to have intercourse with its mother," as Plato says; and it partakes of unlawful foods and refrains from no action, enjoying its lawlessness as far as possible in images and phantoms, which end in no pleasure or fulfillment of the desirer, but are only able to move and irritate the passions and diseases.
§3ποῦ τοίνυν τὸ ἡδὺ τῆς κακίας ἐστίν, εἰ μηδαμοῦ τὸ ἀμέριμνον καὶ τὸ ἄλυπον μηδʼ αὐτάρκεια μηδʼ ἀταραξία μηδʼ ἡσυχία; ταῖς μὲν γὰρ τῆς σαρκὸς ἡδοναῖς;
Where then is the pleasure of vice, if nowhere there is freedom from care, freedom from pain, self-sufficiency, tranquility, or peace?
ἡ τοῦ σώματος εὐκρασία καὶ ὑγίεια χώραν καὶ γένεσιν δίδωσι· τῇ δὲ ψυχῇ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐγγενέσθαι γῆθος οὐδὲ χαρὰν βέβαιον, ἂν μὴ τὸ εὔθυμον καὶ ἄφοβον καὶ θαρραλέον ὥσπερ ἕδραν ἢ γαλήνην ἄκλυστον ὑποβάληται, ἀλλὰ κἂν ὑπομειδιάσῃ τις ἐλπὶς ἢ τέρψις, αὕτη ταχὺ φροντίδος ἐκραγείσης ὥσπερ ἐν εὐδίᾳ σπιλάδος συνεχύθη καὶ συνεταράχθη.
For to the pleasures of the flesh, the good temperament and health of the body give place and birth; but in the soul it is impossible for joy or stable gladness to arise, unless it lays down cheerfulness, fearlessness, and confidence as a sort of seat or stormless calm; and even if some hope or delight smiles upon it, this is quickly, when care breaks out, shattered and thrown into confusion, like a wave on a reef in fair weather.
§4ἅθροιζε χρυσίον, σύναγε ἀργύριον, οἰκοδόμει περιπάτους, ἔμπλησον ἀνδραπόδων τὴν οἰκίαν καὶ χρεωστῶν τὴν πόλιν· ἂν μὴ τὰ πάθη τῆς ψυχῆς καταστορέσῃς καὶ τὴν ἀπληστίαν παύσῃς καὶ φόβων καὶ φροντίδων ἀπαλλάξῃς σαυτόν, οἶνον διηθεῖς· πυρέττοντι καὶ χολικῷ μέλι προσφέρεις καὶ σιτία καὶ ὄψα κοιλιακοῖς ἑτοιμάζεις καὶ δυσεντερικοῖς, μὴ στέγουσι μηδὲ ῥωννυμένοις ἀλλὰ προσδιαφθειρομένοις ὑπʼ αὐτῶν.
Heap up gold, gather silver, build covered walks, fill your house with slaves and the city with your debtors; unless you quiet the passions of your soul, stop your greed, and rid yourself of fears and anxieties, you are merely filtering wine for a feverish patient; you are offering honey to a bilious person, and preparing food and dainties for those with colic or dysentery, who do not retain or get strengthened by them, but are further ruined by them.
οὐχ ὁρᾷς τοὺς νοσοῦντας ὅτι τῶν βρωμάτων τὰ καθαρώτατα καὶ πολυτελέστατα δυσχεραίνουσι καὶ διαπτύουσι καὶ παραιτοῦνται προσφερόντων καὶ βιαζομένων, εἶτα, τῆς κράσεως μεταβαλούσης καὶ πνεύματος χρηστοῦ καὶ γλυκέος αἵματος ἐγγενομένου καὶ θερμότητος; οἰκείας, ἀναστάντες ἄρτον λιτὸν ἐπὶ τυρῷ καὶ καρδάμῳ χαίρουσι καὶ ἀσμενίζουσιν ἐσθίοντες;
Do you not see that sick people dislike, spit out, and reject the purest and most expensive of foods when people offer and force them upon them; then, when their constitution changes, and a healthy breath, sweet blood, and proper heat are engendered within them, they rise up and rejoice in simple bread with cheese and cress, and eat it with pleasure?
τοιαύτην ὁ λόγος ἐμποιεῖ τῇ ψυχῇ διάθεσιν.
Such a disposition reason implants in the soul.
αὐτάρκης ἔσῃ, ἂν μάθῃς τί τὸ καλὸν κἀγαθόν ἐστι· τρυφήσεις ἐν πενίᾳ καὶ βασιλεύσεις καὶ τὸν ἀπράγμονα βίον καὶ ἰδιώτην οὐδὲν ἧττον ἀγαπήσεις ἢ τὸν ἐπὶ στρατηγίαις καὶ ἡγεμονίαις· οὐ βιώσῃ φιλοσοφήσας ἀηδῶς, ἀλλὰ πανταχοῦ ζῆν ἡδέως μαθήσῃ καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων· εὐφρανεῖ σε πλοῦτος πολλοὺς εὐεργετοῦντα καὶ πενία πολλὰ μὴ μεριμνῶντα καὶ δόξα τιμώμενον καὶ ἀδοξία μὴ φθονούμενον.
You will be self-sufficient if you learn what the good and beautiful is; you will live luxuriously in poverty and reign as a king, and you will love the quiet and private life no less than a life of generalship and command; you will not live unpleasantly after practicing philosophy, but you will learn to live pleasantly everywhere and from all things; wealth will delight you by benefiting many, and poverty by not caring for many things, and glory by being honored, and obscurity by not being envied.