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

SECT. XXXVIII & XXXIX.—Blindness.

FUrthermore, the Commotions of the Soul, Anxie∣ties, and Discontents are buried in Oblivion, when our minds are fetch'd off to Pleasure. Wherefore Epi∣curus did not without cause, take the boldness to say, that a wise man had always a greater por∣tion of good things, because he was always in Plea∣sures. Whence he thinks that to be prov'd which is our question, that a wise man is always happy.

S.

What? though he want the Sense of Eyes, of Ears?

M.

Yes, for he slights those very things. Since first that same horrible blindness, what Pleasures, I pray, doth it want? whereas some do even dis∣pute, that the other Pleasures are lodg'd in the Senses themselves, but what are perceiv'd by sight, do not act in any pleasing of the Eyes; as the ob∣jects of Tast, Smell, Feeling, Hearing, act on that very Organ, which is their proper Sensory. (e) No such thing is done in the Eyes. The Soul receives what we see. Now we may many and diverse ways have delights of the mind, without making any use of any Eye-sight. I speak as to the Scholar, and ingenuous Artist, whose Life is Contempla∣tion. For the wise man's Study doth not use to call the Eyes in as assistants in the Prosecution of his search. And if the Night take not away an happy Life, why should a Day like to Night take it away? For that saying of Antipater the Cyrenaick, is a little

towards merry, but yet may admit an ingenuous Sense. When the Ladies mourn'd over his dark∣ness, saith he, What do you mean? Do you think there is no pleasure in the dark? (f) Appius the ancient, who was many years blind, we understand both by the Offices which he bore, and his Actions, that he was in that his Circumstance, wanting to the Duties neither of his publick, nor private Capa∣city. We have also heard that the House of C. Drusus was fill'd with Clients, when they that could not see their own business, took a Blind man for their guide.

(e)No such thing is done in the Eyes.] He favours the opinion, that Vision is effected, not by reception of Species, but emission of Rays.

(f) Appius the Blind.] Appius Claudius was Censor, an active Magistrate, who pav'd the Way to Brundisium, call'd the Appian way; and brought in an Aquaduct into the City. When he was blind, he gave his Vote in the Senate, and over-rul'd the question of not receiving the Prisoners taken by Pyrrhus, nor making Peace with him.