Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/33

 it as a Virtue, but as an Exercise: They made Prosperity do Pennance sometimes, that they might bear Adversity the better: That they might have nothing New to surprize them; and that the Hardships of Choice might reconcile them to those of Necessity. They had likewise a mind to try how little would satisfy Nature, and how rellishing Hunger could make it. And lastly, they pinch'd now' and then, that they might feast with the better Gust: For sensual Satisfactions are the more welcome, by makinq their Visits seldom: Frequency in this case does but clog the Senses, and make the Appetite grow dull. And therefore feeding constantly upon Delicacies is said to have more of Expence than Pleasure in't. Distance, and Intermission, give a Keenness to Desire: Hunger strengthens the Taste, and doubles the Satisfaction; as Liberty is much sweeter when it rises out of Servitude, and Oppression. This made Socrates pronounce Hunger an admirable Sauce: And as that Philosopher use to say, that by walking himself sharp, he had no occasion to go to the Butcher; for his Loaf would afford him Bread and Meat too, when he was throughly hungry. Just thus Epicurus used to balk himself sometimes and keep his Stomach craving; that he might fall too with Rh