Moral essays. With an English translation by J.W. Basore

'ON ANGER, I. XVI. 7-xvii. 5erience ^ ttiereforejCertainsugge'^tions and shadows: lassion, but from pas-ion itself he %nll be free.Aristotle'savs'' that certain passions, if one makes aper use of them, serve as arm^. And^ tills would be-if, Uke the impTehients of war, they could be putand laid aside at the pleasure of the user. Butthe9e-ii-a«aa9 -'which Aristotle would grant to virtuefiglit under their o%\ti orders ; they await no man'sgesture and are not possessed, but possess. Nature i^has given to us an adequate equipment in reason ; we ^need no other implements. This is the weapon shehas bestowed ; it is strong, enduring, obedient, notdouble-edged or capable of being turned against itsowner. Reason is all-sufficient in itself, ser\"tng not 'merely for counsel, but for action as well. WTiat,really, is more foohsh than that reason should seekprotection from anger—that which is steadfast fromthat ^hifh' is "wavering , that which is trustworthyfrom that which is untrustrvvorthy, that which is wellfrom thatJivhich, is sick ? Even in matters of action,in which alone the help of anger seems necessary, isit not true that reason, if left to itself, has far morepower ? For reason, ha\'ing decided upon thenecessit}- of some action, persists in her purpose,since she herself can discover no better thing to putin her place ; therefore her determinations, oncemade, stand. But anger is oftert forced back bypit}' ; for it has no enduring strength, but is adeligtve^inflation. \iolent at the outset. It is likethe \Ainds that rise from off the earth ;generatedfrom streams and marshes they have vehemence,but do nol Tast^ So anger begins Avith a mightyrush, then breaks down from untimely exhaustion,and though all its thoughts had been concerned %vith151J^'