Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/53

Rh the raging motion of choler, offer meats and viands to those that be sick of the stomachical flux, continual lask, ulceration of the guts and bloody flux, who neither take pleasure therein, nor are the better but the worse rather a great deal for them. See you not how sick folks are offended, and their stomachs rise at the most fine, costly, and daintiest meats that be offered unto them? how they spit them forth again, and will none, though they be forced upon them? And yet afterwards, when the body is reduced again into good temperature: when pure spirits and good fresh blood is engendered, and when the natural heat is restored and become familiar and kind: then they rise up on their feet to their meat, then their stomachs serve to eat full savourly of coarse bread with cheese or cresses, and therein they take great pleasure and contentment: The like disposition in the mind doth reason work. Then and never before shalt thou be pleased and at peace with thyself, when thou hast once learned what is good and honest indeed: In poverty thou shalt live deliciously like a king: or in a private and quiet state sequestered from civil and public affairs, thou shalt live as well as they who have the conduct of great armies, and govern the commonweal. When thou hast studied philosophy and profited therein, thou shalt never lead a life in discontentment, but shalt learn how to away with any estate and course of life, and therein find no small joy and heart's ease. Thy riches thou wilt rejoice in, because thou shalt have better means to do good unto all men: In poverty likewise thou wilt take joy in regard thou shalt have fewer cares to trouble thee: Glory will turn to thy solace, when thou shalt see thyself so honoured: and thy low estate and obscure condition will be no less comfort, for that thou shalt be safe and secured from envy.