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

SECT. XXVIII. The wise man is happy though he be in Tor∣ments.

BUT our Discourse must keep within bounds, and return thither where it turn'd out of the way. Happiness will, will, I tell you, go into Torments; nor having accompanied Justice, Tem∣perance, and especially Fortitude, Magnanimity, Patience, when it shall see the Tormentors Face, will it stop; and when all the Vertues go with an undaunted mind to Torture, will she stand (as I said) without the Prison doors, and not step over the threshold? for what would be more scandal∣ous, more ugly, than her left alone and sever'd from her most beautiful train of Companions, (u) which yet is no ways possible; for neither can the Vertues hold together without happiness of Life, nor that without the Vertues. Therefore they will not suffer her to lag behind, but will hurry her along with them, to whatever pain and torture they shall be led; for it is the property of (w) a wise man, to do nothing to be repented of, nothing upon constraint, all things nobly, constantly, gravely, honestly; to expect nothing, as presum'd certain; to admire nothing when it is befallen, as that it should seem to have happen'd new and unexpected; to bring all things to the Bar of his discretion, and stand to the awards of his own judgment: what can be more happy than this, cannot enter into my mind; I acknowledge, indeed, the inference of the Stoicks

is plain; who having held the chiefest of Goods to be agreement with Nature, and living up suitably to it; this being in the wise man not only as to Duty, but also Power; it must necessarily follow, that in whose Power is the chiefest Good, in the same is also happiness of Life; so that a wise man's Life is always happy. Thus you have what I think is spoken of a happy Life most resolutely; and as the matter stands here, unless you can tell us any thing better, most truly too.

(u) Which yet is no ways possible.] Vertue and Blessed∣ness are inseparable Companions.

(w) A wise man to do nothing to be repented of.] Take it in a compound sense; for Wisdom is not to be repented of, but in a State of Imperfection, Repentance is Wisdom re∣cover'd; nor dishonourable, for upon it God also repents of Punishment.