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

SECT. XXV. The Cavil of Carneades examin'd.

WHereupon Carneades, as I find our Friend Antiochus Record of him, was wont to blame Chrysippus for quoting, as some wise passage, that Verse of Euripides.

No Mortal is advanc'd above all Pain; But buries Children, breeds up some again: Then dys himself; yet their deceased Friend, Vain Mourners to the Grave with Pomp attend. Dust will to Dust; one Law is made for all; Life, like ripe Corn, must by the Sickle fall.

He deny'd that Arguments of this sort, had any influence at all to the abating Sorrow: for, said he, that is the very matter of our grief, to be caught in such a cruel necessity; and a Discourse in re∣hersal of other mens Sufferings, only to be suited to the Consolation of ill-natur'd Persons. But I am clear of a differing judgment, for both the ne∣cessity of conforming to that condition, whereunto we were ordain'd, doth with-hold us from fighting, as it were, against God, and minds us that we are but men. Which consideration doth greatly allay Sorrow; and the recounting Examples is not pro∣duc'd to give content to the malitious, but to in∣form the judgment of him that is in trouble, that he is well able to bear what he seeth many have born before him, with Moderation and Patience:

for they are to be staid up by all methods, who are sink∣ing, and cannot hold together through excess of grief. Chrysippus was wont to make the allusion; as if the Greek word importing Sorrow, imply'd in the very Term, a Solution of the whole man. This evil Humour may be utterly expell'd, by lay∣ing open, as I said in the beginning, the cause of Discontent: Now this is no other than an opinion and judgment of some great evil instant and pressing; therefore also bodily Pain, though the Fit be never so sharp, yet is sustain'd by enter∣taining probable Hopes of Ease: and a Life led with Reputation and Honour, carrieth along with it such strong Consolation, as that no Affliction can touch those who so liv'd; or else Troubles make but a very slight impression on their Souls.

(d) That Verse of Euripides.] They are the words of Amphiarchus, comforting the Mother of Archemorus, for the loss of her Son.