SECT. XIX. The direction of Epicurus impracticable.
YOU will enquire perhaps, but how should we come to despise Pain; and a good question it is, for Philosophy pretends to prescribe Reme∣dies in such case. Here cometh Epicurus, he no
The five days debate at Cicero's house in Tusculum between master and sophister.
About this Item
- Title
- The five days debate at Cicero's house in Tusculum between master and sophister.
- Author
- Cicero, Marcus Tullius.
- Publication
- London :: Printed for Abel Swalle ...,
- 1683.
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"The five days debate at Cicero's house in Tusculum between master and sophister." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A33161.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 18, 2024.
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Page 128
cunning Fellow, but rather very honest man, ad∣vised to the best of his Skill; slight Pain, saith he. Now who is it that saith this? Why he that affirms Pain to be the greatest Evil: not very consistently: let us hear on. If Pain be at the highest, saith he, it must needs be short. Say me those words over again, for I do not understand what you mean by the highest, nor what by being short. The highest, than which nothing is higher; short, than which nothing is shorter. I despise the greatness of that Pain, from which the shortness of time will release me almost as soon as it shall come; but if the Pain be so great as was that of Philoctetes, it seems to me consider∣ably great, but yet not at the highest; for nothing aketh but the Feet; the Head, the Sides, the Lungs might, all the Parts might. Therefore it is far from the highest Pain: Therefore, saith he, long Pain hath more pleasure in it than trouble. Now cannot I say, that a man of his Reputation is without com∣mon Sense, but I think we are mock'd by him: The Pain which is at the highest (and I suppose it at the highest, although there may be one ten Atomes greater) I do not presently affirm it must be short, and can instance in many sufficient men, that for very many years have been tormented with the Gout; but this wary Person never de∣fieth either the greatness of the Pain, or shortness of Time; so that I may come to know what he means by the highest in Pain, what short in Time. Let us therefore leave him, saying nothing to any purpose, and let us oblige him to confess, that the remedy against Pain, is not to be expected from him, who shall hold Pain to be the greatest of Evils. Let the same Person in his Collick, Stone, and Strangury, set never so good a Face on the matter. Elsewhere therefore must Cure be sought,
Page 129
and especially if we enquire what is most suitable, of those who judge that which is honourable, to be the chiefest good; what is base, the chiefest evil. In their presence you will not dare to keep a groaning, and make a disturbance; for in their Language, Valour it self will thus address to you.