a 
192 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING, [XX. 10. 
obtain all that we can wish to ourselves in our proper 
fortune; as Consalvo said to his soldiers, showing them 
Naples, and protesting he had rather die one foot for- 
wards, than to have his life secured for long by one foot 
of retreat. Whereunto the wisdom of that heavenly leader 
hath signed, who hath affirmed that @ good conscience is a 
continual feast; showing plainly that the conscience of 
good intentions, howsoever succeeding, is a more con- 
tinual joy to nature, than all the provision which can be 
made for security and repose. 
11. It censureth likewise that abuse of philosophy, 
which grew general about the time of Epictetus, in con- 
verting it into an occupation or profession; as if the 
purpose had been, not to resist and extinguish perturb- 
ations, but to fly and avoid the causes of them, and to 
shape a particular kind and course of life to that end; 
introducing such an health of mind, as was that health of 
body of which Aristotle speaketh of Herodicus, who did 
nothing all his life long but intend his health: whereas if 
men refer themselves to duties of society, as that health 
of body is best, which is ablest to endure all alterations 
and extremities; so likewise that health of mind is most 
proper, v sich can go through the greatest temptations 
and perturbations. So as Diogenes’ opinion is to be 
accepted, who commended not them which abstained, 
but them which sustained, and could refrain their mind 
in precipitio, and could give unto the mind (as is used in 
horsemanship) the shortest stop or turn. 
12. Lastly, it censureth the tenderness and want of 
application in some of the most ancient and reverend 
philosophers and philosophical men, that did retire too 
easily from civil business, for avoiding of indignities and 
perturbations: whereas the resolution of men truly moral 
