Volume 1 - Discourses - Books I - II - College of Stoic Philosophers

BOOK II. xv. 1-9ference and compulsion, subject to others and notour own some men., Isay, fancy that wheneverthey have formed a judgement they ought to standby it immovably. And yet the first requirement isthat the judgement formed be a sound one. ForI want vigour in the body, but it must be thevigour of the body in a state of health and physicalexercise ; whereas, if you show me that you possessthe vigour of a madman, and boast about it, I willsay to you, (f Man, look for someone to cure you.This is not vigour, but feebleness."The following is another way in which the mindsof those are affected who hear these precepts amiss.For example, a friend of mine for no reason at allmade up his mind to starve himself to death. Ilearned about it when he was already in the thirdday of his fasting, and went and asked what hadhappened.I have decided, he answered. Verywell, but still what was it that induced you to makeup your mind ? For if your judgement was good, see,we are at your side and ready to help you to makeyour exit from this life but if; your judgement wasirrational, change it.- must -I abide by my decisions.Why, man, what are you about? You mean notall your decisions, but only the right ones. Forexample, if you are convinced at this moment thatit is night, do not change your opinion, if that seemsbest to you, but abide by it and say that you oughtto abide by your decisions Do ! you not wish tomake your beginning and your foundation firm, thatis, to consider whether your decision is sound orunsound, and only after you have done that proceedto rear thereon the structure of your determinationand your firm resolve ? Bat ifyou lay a rotten and317