The five days debate at Cicero's house in Tusculum between master and sophister.

SECT. I. The Reluctancy of deprav'd Man, against his own Cure.

VVHAT should I take to be the Cause, most worthy Brutus, since we consist of Body and Soul? why an Art hath been sought out for recovering and preserving the Bodies Health, and the usefulness of it (a) attributed to the Invention of the Gods; but the Physick of the Soul was neither so much wanted, before it was found out; nor so much frequented since its discovery; nor is so agreeable and accepted by many; nay, is suspected and loath'd by the greater part; Is it because we judge of the Bodies Infirmity and Pain, by the Soul; but have no Sense of the Souls Mala∣dies

by the Body? So it happens that the Soul does not pass judgment of it self, (b) till that which is to give the judgment be distemper'd. Now if Nature had brought us into the World with an Original Ability, to look into, and clearly discern her Or∣dinance; and that under her surest conduct we might pass the course of our Life; there would be no reason, why any should have use of Logick or Philosophy. But now she hath put into us only some small glimmerings, which we being suddenly corrupted with ill habits and opinions, so far stiffle, that the Light of Nature doth no where appear; for there are Seeds of Vertues innate in our very Souls; which if they might spring up till they come to maturity, Nature it self would conduct us to Happiness of Life. But now as soon as we are brought into this World, and taken up, we are presently encompass'd with all Corruption of Manners, and falshood of Opini∣on; that we may seem to have suck'd in Error almost with our Nurses Milk. But when we are brought home to Parents, and then turn'd over to Masters, we are season'd with such variety of Mi∣stakes, that Truth is forc'd to yield to falshood, and Nature it self to prejudicate Opinion.

(a) Attributed to the Invention of the Gods.] Apollo and Aesculapius.

(b) Till that, which is to give the judgment, be distemper'd] Therefore not only the inferior Faculties of Will and Passi∣ons are disordered, but the Superior Power of the Soul, the Understanding is disturb'd and Sick, contrary to the an∣swer which he gave Panaetius above, about the Sickness of the Soul: This, in reference to the mind, consists in a Cor∣ruption of Judgment, and reprobate Sense; only curable by attention and assent to sound Doctrine.