エセー01 淋しがること

(I am one of those freest from this passion, sadness.)

I am one of those freest from this passion, sadness.

(I neither like it nor respect it, although everyone has decided to honor it, as if at a fixed price.)

I neither like it nor respect it, although everyone has decided to honor it, as if at a fixed price.

(They clothe wisdom, virtue, conscience with it.)

They clothe wisdom, virtue, conscience with it.

(a stupid and monstrous ornament!)

a stupid and monstrous ornament!

(It is always a harmful quality, always insane;)

It is always a harmful quality, always insane;

(and, as being always cowardly and base, the Stoics forbid sages to feel it.)

and, as being always cowardly and base, the Stoics forbid sages to feel it.

(when Cambyses inquired of Psammenitus why, though unmoved by the misfortune of his son and daughter,)

when Cambyses inquired of Psammenitus why, though unmoved by the misfortune of his son and daughter,

(he lacked the patience to bear that of his friend, he answered:)

he lacked the patience to bear that of his friend, he answered:

("It is because this last grief can be signified by tears;)

"It is because this last grief can be signified by tears;

(the first two surpass any of expression.")

the first two surpass any of expression."

(He who can say how he burns, burns little.)

He who can say how he burns, burns little.

(The painter who, being obliged to represent the grief of the spectators at the sacrifice of Iphigenia,)

The painter who, being obliged to represent the grief of the spectators at the sacrifice of Iphigenia,

(when he came to the girl's father, portrayed him with his face covered;)

when he came to the girl's father, portrayed him with his face covered;

(as if no countenance could represent that degree of grief.)

as if no countenance could represent that degree of grief.

(All passions that allow themselves to be digested are only mediocre.)

All passions that allow themselves to be digested are only mediocre.

(Light cares can speak, but heavy ones are dumb. Seneca)

Light cares can speak, but heavy ones are dumb. Seneca

(I am little subject to violent passions.)

I am little subject to violent passions.

(My susceptibility is tough; and I hardened and thicken it everyday by force of reason.)

My susceptibility is tough; and I hardened and thicken it everyday by force of reason.