Gl. Nothing is hard to a willing Mind.  And then do but consider the Benefits of a single Life:  There are some People in the World, who will be for making the worst of every Thing; such a one Crates seemed to be, or an Epigram under his Name, summing up the Evils of human Life.  And the Resolution is this, that it is best not to be born at all.  Now Metrodorus pleases me a great Deal better, who picks out what is good in it; this makes Life the pleasanter.  And I brought my Mind to that Temper of Indifference never to have a violent Aversion or Fondness for any thing.  And by this it comes to pass, that if any good Fortune happens to me, I am not vainly transported, or grow insolent; or if any thing falls out cross, I am not much perplex’d.

Pa. Truly if you can do this, you are a greater Philosopher than Thales himself.

Gl. If any Uneasiness in my Mind rises, (as mortal Life produces many of them) I cast it immediately out of my Thoughts, whether it be from the Sense of an Affront offered, or any Thing done unhandsomly.

Pol. Well, but there are some Provocations that would raise the Anger of the most patient Man alive:  As the Saucinesses of Servants frequently are.

Gl. I suffer nothing to stay long enough in my Mind to make an Impression.  If I can cure them I do it, if not, I reason thus with myself, What good will it do me to torment myself about that which will be never the better for it?  In short, I let Reason do that for me at first, which after a little While, Time itself would do.  And this I be sure take Care of, not to suffer any Vexation, be it never so great, to go to Bed with me.

Eu. No wonder that you don’t grow old, who are of that Temper.

Gl. Well, and that I mayn’t conceal any thing from Friends, in an especial Manner I have kept this Guard upon myself, never to commit any Thing that might be a Reflection either on my own Honour or that of my Children.  For there is nothing more troublesome than a guilty Conscience.  And if I have committed a Fault I don’t go to Bed before I have reconcil’d myself to God.  To be at Peace with God is the Fountain of true Tranquillity of Mind, or, as the Greeks call it, [Greek:  euthymia].  For they who live thus, Men can do them no great Injury.

Eu. Have you never any anxious Thoughts upon the Apprehension of Death?

Gl. No more than I have for the Day of my Birth.  I know I must die, and to live in the Fear of it may possibly shorten my Life, but to be sure it would never make it longer.  So that I care for nothing else but to live piously and comfortably, and leave the rest to Providence; and a Man can’t live happily that does not live piously.

Pa. But I should grow old with the Tiresomeness of living so long in the same Place, tho’ it were Rome itself.