Section 8 (part 2)

The diet of the sick, and the soul of the unwise, are full of fastidiousness. 33. Untaught boys confound letters, but uneducated men, things. 34, The intellect derived from philosophy is similar to a charioteer; for it is present with our desires, and always conducts them to the beautiful. 35. Time, indeed, will render the herb absinthium sweeter than honey, but circumstances may sometimes make an enemy preferable to a friend. 36. A good pilot sometimes suffers shipwreck, and a worthy man is sometimes unfortunate. 37. Thunder especially frightens children; but threats, the unwise. 38. Figure adorns a statue; but actions adorn a man, 39. It is the same thing to drink a deadly medicine from a golden cup, and to receive counsel from an injudicious friend. 40. Swallows signify fair weather; but p. 42 the discourses of philosophy, exemption from pain. 41. Orphan children have not so much need of guardians as stupid men. 42. Fortune is like a depraved rewarder of contests; for she frequently crowns him who accomplishes nothing. 43. There is need of a pilot and a wind for a prosperous navigation; but of reasoning and fortune, to effect a happy life. 44. A timid man bears armour against himself; and a fool employs riches for the same purpose. 45. It is the same thing to moor a boat by an infirm anchor, and to place hope in a depraved mind. 46. Clouds frequently obscure the sun; but the passions, the reasoning power. 47. Neither does a golden bed benefit a sick man; nor a splendid fortune, a stupid man. 48. Pure water dissolves inflammation; but mild discourse dissolves anger. 49. Austere wine is mot adapted for copious drinking, nor rustic manners for conversation. 50. The anger of an ape, and the threats of a flatterer, are to be alike regarded. p. 44 51. Of life, the first part is childhood, on which account all men are attentive to it, as to the first part of a drama. 52. It is necessary that we should be cautious in our writings, but splendid in our actions. 53. As in plants, so also in youth, the first blossoms indicate the fruit of virtue. 54. In banquets, he who is not intoxicated with wine is the more pleasant; but in prosperity, he who does not conduct himself illegally. 55. It is the same thing to nourish a serpent, and to benefit a depraved man; for gratitude is produced from neither. 56. It is rare to suffer shipwreck in fair weather; and equally so not to suffer shipwreck from want of counsel. 57. Wind inflates empty bladders; but false opinions puff up stupid men. 58. It is necessary that he who exercises himself should avoid fatigue, and he who is prosperous, envy. 59. "Measure is most excellent," says one of the wise men; to which also we being in like manner persuaded, O most friendly and pious Asclepiades, here finish the curations of life. Footnotes 37:1 The handle of a vessel was called an ear by the Greeks. 39:1 Self-sufficiency must not be considered in the vulgar sense, as consummate arrogance; but as the internal possession of everything requisite to felicity. 39:2 Long garments or robes, both by ancients and moderns, have always been worn as marks of distinction; consequently, like riches, they are among the objects of desire; and although not so extensively pernicious, yet the philosopher very properly places them among things that are by no means free from danger; and which are neither to be embraced by everyone, nor without the greatest caution.