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 a 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, which 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 prczcipitio, 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 



