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

CHAP. XXI. The stoutness of the Epicureans taken down.

YET the Epicureans complain, Good Fellows as they are (for I know no sort of People less dangerous) that I am still picking Quarrels with Epicurus. I warrant the Competition is about some place of Trust or Honour. To my judgment the chief good is in the Soul; to his in the Body, I place it in Vertue, he in Pleasure. Now they fall to blows; nay, call the Town to help them; and many there be, that run in at their cry. On the contrary, I am the man that own no concern either way; am ready to be concluded by what they de∣termine; for what great business is it? A Debate about the Punick War? yet in a Council of War about that, when M. Cato was of one opinion, and L. Lentulus of another, it never came to any heats. These are too passionate, especially considering that no very honourable Opinion is maintain'd by them; since in the Defence of it, they durst not speak in the Senate, nor in the Assembly of the People; not to the Army, nor before the Cen∣sors.

But I shall have occasion to deal with them elsewhere; yet with this intention, not to make any formal Contest. I shall readily submit to whosoever speak true; only I shall mind them, though it should be never so true, that a wise man acts always in subserviency to his Body; or, to word it more inoffensively, doth nothing but what may turn to advantage, maketh his own Interest the ultimate end and measure of all his Actions; yet because these Principles are not plausible, that they would keep their Joy to themselves, but for∣bear to utter lofty words.