EPIST. CXI.
He proueth that cauils are but a vaine and base kinde of Philosophie, and that that part which concerneth manners is true, firme, and sublimed. Counsailing vs to retire to that studie.
THou hast enquired of me what those things are called in Latine, which the Grecians call Sophismat•••• many men haue endeuoured to expresse the same, but no man hath performed it; and the rea∣son is, because the thing it selfe was not receiued by vs•• neyther had in vse, and therfore likewise was the name of no account•• yet that in my ••udgement was the most fittest which Cicero vsed, who called them Cauillationes, that is to say Cauils; to which whosoeuer addicteth himselfe, he forgeth subtile questions, yet doe they profite him nothing vnto life, neyther is he made the stronger, more temperate, or more lifted vp. But he that hath exer∣cised Philosophy for his owne remedie sake is made mighty in mind, ful of con∣fidence inuincible, and more great the neerer he approcheth the same. That which falleth out in the greatest mountains, whose height appears l••ast to those that behold them from a farre, and the neerer you approach them, the more manifestly appeareth it what their immeasurable height is: such, my Lucilius, is a true and no count••rfeit Philosopher; he standeth in a high place, admirable, vpright, and truely great. He raiseth not himselfe on his feete, neyther walketh on his tiptoes, after the manner of those that helpe their height by shift, and would seeme ••onger then they be, he contenteth himselfe with his greatnesse. Why should he not content himselfe, since he is growne so farre, as fortune rea∣cheth not her hand vnto him•• and therefore is he aboue all humane things. He is alwayes like himselfe in all things that may happen, whether the Nauigation of his life floateth vnder a prosperous winde•• or be tossed by stormes and ad∣uerse dangers. This constancy these cauils (of which I haue spoken a little be∣fore) cannot affect. The minde dallieth with these, but profiteth not he cas••∣eth