Seneca - College of Stoic Philosophers

EXILE IN CORSICA 37the power of others. It cannot be given it;cannot be taken away. No change of place—and exile isnothing more— can take from himthe glorious spectacle of the universe, nor thecontemplating mind, roaming sacred and immortalthroughall the past and all the future,which is itself the noblest part of that universe.In support of his contention, not very convincingin itself, that since so many people quittheir country of their own accord there can beno great hardship in an involuntary exile, Senecagives an interestingday:account of the Rome of hisConsider Rome. How few of the inhabitants ofthat vast city are Romans !They come from coloniesand municipalities ; they flow together from the wholeworld. Some are brought by ambition ;some by theirpublic duties ;others have been entrusted with missions ;luxury in search of opportunities, and industry seekinga larger field for action, entice others. Many come insearch of pleasure many others to improve their minds;by liberal studies ;while some bring their beauty andothers their eloquence to market. Every race of manhastens to the city which offers the greatest prizes bothto virtue and to vice.If,then, his mother has no cause to grieve forhim, neither should she grieve for herself. Tothe loss of a protector he knows that she is indifferent,for she has never cared for the successof her sons in respect of her own interests. Forher distress at her son's absence it is indeed harderto find a remedy. But he exhorts her to consoleherself with her other sons, to one of whom,Gallio, his honours will be chiefly valuable as