6 THE GARDENS OF EPICURUS 



and original condition of life. However, by these 

 ways and degrees, the endless increase of riches seems 

 to be grown the perpetual and general amusement, or 

 business of mankind. 



Some few in each country make those higher flights 

 after honour and power, and to these ends sacrifice 

 their riches, their labour, their thought, and their lives ; 

 and nothing diverts nor busies men more than these 

 pursuits, which are usually covered with the pretences 

 of serving a man's country, and of public good. But 

 the true service of the public is a business of so much 

 labour and so much care, that though a good and wise 

 man may not refuse it, if he be called to it by his 

 prince or his country, and thinks he can be of more 

 than vulgar use, yet he will seldom or never seek it ; 

 but leaves it commonly to men, who, under the disguise 

 of public good, pursue their own designs of wealth, 

 power, and such bastard honours as usually attend them, 

 not that which is the true, and only true reward of 

 virtue. 



The pursuits of ambition, though not so general, yet 

 are as endless as those of riches, and as extravagant ; 

 since none ever yet thought he had power or empire 

 enough : and what prince soever seems to be so great, 

 as to live and reign without any further desires or fears, 



