エセー09 不動心

(The precepts of constancy don't state that we must not protect ourselves from the troubles that threaten us.)

The precepts of constancy don't state that we must not protect ourselves from the troubles that threaten us.

(nor that we should not fear being taken by surprise.)

nor that we should not fear being taken by surprise.

(I cannot help starting if the bang of a gun hits my ears unexpectedly,)

I cannot help starting if the bang of a gun hits my ears unexpectedly,

(in a place where I should not expect it.)

in a place where I should not expect it.

(Nor do the Stoics mean that the soul of sage can resist it.)

Nor do the Stoics mean that the soul of sage can resist it.

(Rather they consent that he gives in to the great noise of a falling building;)

Rather they consent that he gives in to the great noise of a falling building;

(for example, to the point of turning pale and tightening up:)

for example, to the point of turning pale and tightening up:

(His judgment remains sound, his reason suffers no injury or alteration;)

His judgment remains sound, his reason suffers no injury or alteration;

(For the man who is not a sage it goes the same way for the first part;)

For the man who is not a sage it goes the same way for the first part;

(but entirely differently for the second.)

but entirely differently for the second.

(The impression of the passions does not remain superficial in him,)

The impression of the passions does not remain superficial in him,

(but penetrates right to the reason, infecting and corrupting it.)

but penetrates right to the reason, infecting and corrupting it.

(He conforms to them.)

He conforms to them.

(Here is the state of the Stoic sage:)

Here is the state of the Stoic sage:

(The mind remains unmoved, the tears useless flow.)

The mind remains unmoved, the tears useless flow.

(The sage does not exempt himself from perturbations, but he moderates them.)

The sage does not exempt himself from perturbations, but he moderates them.