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

(e) Do they not understand that they are under the greatest Evil?] Tully doth not speak it positively, that imperfecti∣on is the greatest Evil: but by way of Interrogation, as ac∣cording to the Stoical Paradox, doubtless insincerity is worse; and it is hard to determine, that he who hath not reach'd the Top in gradual attainments, must therefore lye at the bottom; but if the question had been ask'd in general, why men are not so much affected with the wants of their Soul, as Bodily, or outward Damages; the Resolution had been obvious; because we cannot want or desire what we do not know; therefore he makes instance in the greatest Phi∣losophers: Do they not understand? Some active dissatis∣faction they had in their present Estate, which put them up∣on further pursuit after Wisdom; but they were still much under the Power of an intellectual Lithargy. Deficiency in Morals, was less than their burthen, because they were unacquainted with the indispensable Sanction of the Divine Law. Had not those Direction, Motives, and Assistances to work in them a Spiritual Sorrow, which might engage them to be restless, till they had obtain'd such degrees of integrity, as this our frail condition admits.