Amongstthefunctionsofthesoul，therearesomeofalowerandmeanerform;hewhodoesnotseeherinthoseinferiorofficesaswellasinthoseofnoblernote，neverfullydiscoversher;and，peradventure，sheisbestshownwhereshemoveshersimplerpace。Thewindsofpassionstakemostholdofherinherhighestflights;andtheratherbyreasonthatshewhollyappliesherselfto，andexercisesherwholevirtueupon，everyparticularsubject，andneverhandlesmorethanonethingatatime，andthatnotaccordingtoit，butaccordingtoherself。Thingsinrespecttothemselveshave，peradventure，theirweight，measures，andconditions;butwhenweoncetakethemintous，thesoulformsthemasshepleases。DeathisterribletoCicero，covetedbyCato，indifferenttoSocrates。Health，conscience，authority，knowledge，riches，beauty，andtheircontraries，allstripthemselvesattheirenteringintous，andreceiveanewrobe，andofanotherfashion，fromthesoul;andofwhatcolour，brown，bright，green，dark，andofwhatquality，sharp，sweet，deep，orsuperficial，asbestpleaseseachofthem，fortheyarenotagreeduponanycommonstandardofforms，rules，orproceedings;everyoneisaqueeninherowndominions。Letus，therefore，nomoreexcuseourselvesupontheexternalqualitiesofthings;itbelongstoustogiveourselvesanaccountofthem。Ourgoodorillhasnootherdependencebutonourselves。’Tistherethatourofferingsandourvowsaredue，andnottofortuneshehasnopoweroverourmanners;onthecontrary，theydrawandmakeherfollowintheirtrain，andcastherintheirownmould。WhyshouldnotIjudgeofAlexanderattable，rantinganddrinkingattheprodigiousratehesometimesusedtodo？
Or，ifheplayedatchess？whatstringofhissoulwasnottouchedbythisidleandchildishgame？Ihateandavoidit，becauseitisnotplayenough，thatitistoograveandseriousadiversion，andIamashamedtolayoutasmuchthoughtandstudyuponitaswouldservetomuchbetteruses。HedidnotmorepumphisbrainsabouthisgloriousexpeditionintotheIndies，northananotherinunravellingapassageuponwhichdependsthesafetyofmankind。Towhatadegreedoesthisridiculousdiversionmolestthesoul，whenallherfacultiesaresummonedtogetheruponthistrivialaccount！andhowfairanopportunityshehereingiveseveryonetoknowandtomakearightjudgmentofhimself？Idonotmorethoroughlysiftmyselfinanyotherposturethanthis:whatpassionareweexemptedfrominit？Anger，spite，malice，impatience，andavehementdesireofgettingthebetterinaconcernwhereinitweremoreexcusabletobeambitiousofbeingovercome;fortobeeminent，toexcelabovethecommonrateinfrivolousthings，nowisebefitsamanofhonour。WhatI
sayinthisexamplemaybesaidinallothers。Everyparticle，everyemploymentofmanmanifestshimequallywithanyother。
DemocritusandHeraclitusweretwophilosophers，ofwhomthefirst，findinghumanconditionridiculousandvain，neverappearedabroadbutwithajeeringandlaughingcountenance;whereasHeraclituscommiseratingthatsameconditionofours，appearedalwayswithasorrowfullook，andtearsinhiseyes:
\"AlterRidebat，quotiesaliminemoveratunumProtuleratquepedem;flebatcontrariusalter。\"