28 DESCARTES. 



than our not possessing the kingdoms of China or 

 Mexico; and thus making, so to speak, a virtue of 

 necessity, we shall no more desire health in disease, 

 or freedom in imprisonment, than we now do bodies 

 incorruptible as diamonds, or the wings of birds to 

 fly with. But I confess there is need of prolonged 

 discipline and frequently repeated meditation to 

 accustom the mind to view all objects in this light; 

 and I believe that in this chiefly consisted the 

 secret of the power of such philosophers as in 

 former times were enabled to rise superior to the 

 influence of fortune, and, amid suffering and pov- 

 erty, enjoy a happiness which their gods might have 

 envied. For, occupied incessantly with the con- 

 sideration of the limits prescribed to their power by 

 nature, they became so entirely convinced that 

 nothing was at their disposal except their own 

 thoughts, that this conviction was of itself sufficient 

 to prevent their entertaining any desire of other 

 objects; and over their thoughts they acquired a 

 sway so absolute, that they had some ground on this 

 account for esteeming themselves more rich and 

 more powerful, more free and more happy, than 

 other men who, whatever be the favours heaped on 

 them by nature and fortune, if destitute of this 

 philosophy, can never command the realization of 

 all their desires. 



In fine, to conclude this code of Morals, I thought 

 of reviewing the different occupations of men in this 

 life, with the view of making choice of the best. 

 And, without wishing to offer any remarks on the 

 employments of others, I may state that it was my 



