n their tombs somewhere at last, Cadicianus, Fabius, Julianus,
Lepidus, or any one else like them, who have carried out many to be
buried, and then were carried out themselves. Altogether the interval is
small [between birth and death]; and consider with how much trouble, and
in company with what sort of people, and in what a feeble body, this
interval is laboriously passed. Do not then consider life a thing of any
value. + For look to the immensity of time behind thee, and to the time
which is before thee, another boundless space. In this infinity then
what is the difference between him who lives three days and him who
lives three generations?[A]

[A] An allusion to Homer's Nestor, who was living at the war of
Troy among the third generation, like old Parr with his hundred
and fifty-two years, and some others in modern times who have
beaten Parr by twenty or thirty years if it is true; and yet
they died at last. The word is [Greek: trigereniou] in
Antoninus. Nestor is named [Greek: trigeron] by some writers;
but here perhaps there is an allusion to Homer's [Greek:
Gerenios hippota Nestor].

51. Always run to the short way; and the short way is the natural:
accordingly say and do everything in conformity with the soundest
reason. For such a purpose frees a man from trouble,+ and warfare, and
all artifice and ostentatious display.

V.

In the morning when thou risest unwillingly, let this thought be
present,--I am rising to the work of a human being. Why then am I
dissatisfied if I am going to do the things for which I exist and for
which I was brought into the world? Or have I been made for this, to lie
in the bed-clothes and keep myself warm?--But this is more
pleasant.--Dost thou exist then to take thy pleasure, and not at all for
action or exertion? Dost thou not see the little plants, the little
birds, the ants, the spiders, the bees working together to put in order
their several parts of the universe? And art thou unwilling to do the
work of a human being, and dost thou not make haste to do that which, is
according to thy nature? But it is necessary to take rest also.--It is
necessary. However, Nature has fixed bounds to this too: she has fixed
bounds to eating and drinking, and yet thou goest beyond these bounds,
beyond what is sufficient; yet in thy acts it is not so, but thou
stoppest short of what thou canst do. So thou lovest not thyself, for if
thou didst, thou wou