PREFACE 



I AM not unaware, my dear friend Lucilius, of the i 

 greatness of the edifice whose foundations I am 

 laying in my old age, when I resolve to survey the 

 universe, to unearth its motives and secrets, and to 

 reveal them to the knowledge of others. When shall 

 I ever manage to cover such a field, gather together 

 such widely-spread material, behold with clear vision 

 such profound secrets ? Old age presses hard on 

 the rear, upbraiding me with the years bestowed on 

 vain pursuits. We must ply our task all the more 

 vigorously, and toil must now make good the loss 

 of a lifetime withdrawn from its true purpose. 

 Night must be added to day, engagements cut 2 

 short, care abandoned of property that lies far away 

 from its owner. The mind must be wholly set free 

 from other thoughts, and at least at the moment of 

 its flight from earth must bestow itself in self-con 

 templation. It shall do so, and shall urge itself on, 

 and each day it shall measure the brief span of time 

 left. What has been lost shall be repaired by diligent 

 use of the remainder of life. The surest pledge of 

 virtue is repentance and amendment. I may ex- 3 

 claim in the words of an illustrious poet : 



High is the courage that inspires me, great the work, but short 

 The time in which to plan. 



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