“In solis sis tibi turba locis.”

     ["In solitude, be company for thyself.”—­Tibullus, vi. 13. 12.]

Virtue is satisfied with herself, without discipline, without words, without effects.  In our ordinary actions there is not one of a thousand that concerns ourselves.  He that thou seest scrambling up the ruins of that wall, furious and transported, against whom so many harquebuss-shots are levelled; and that other all over scars, pale, and fainting with hunger, and yet resolved rather to die than to open the gates to him; dost thou think that these men are there upon their own account?  No; peradventure in the behalf of one whom they never saw and who never concerns himself for their pains and danger, but lies wallowing the while in sloth and pleasure:  this other slavering, blear-eyed, slovenly fellow, that thou seest come out of his study after midnight, dost thou think he has been tumbling over books to learn how to become a better man, wiser, and more content?  No such matter; he will there end his days, but he will teach posterity the measure of Plautus’ verses and the true orthography of a Latin word.  Who is it that does not voluntarily exchange his health, his repose, and his very life for reputation and glory, the most useless, frivolous, and false coin that passes current amongst us?  Our own death does not sufficiently terrify and trouble us; let us, moreover, charge ourselves with those of our wives, children, and family:  our own affairs do not afford us anxiety enough; let us undertake those of our neighbours and friends, still more to break our brains and torment us: 

         “Vah! quemquamne hominem in animum instituere, aut
          Parare, quod sit carius, quam ipse est sibi?”

["Ah! can any man conceive in his mind or realise what is dearer
than he is to himself?”—­Terence, Adelph., i.  I, 13.]

Solitude seems to me to wear the best favour in such as have already employed their most active and flourishing age in the world’s service, after the example of Thales.  We have lived enough for others; let us at least live out the small remnant of life for ourselves; let us now call in our thoughts and intentions to ourselves, and to our own ease and repose.  ’Tis no light thing to make a sure retreat; it will be enough for us to do without mixing other enterprises.  Since God gives us leisure to order our removal, let us make ready, truss our baggage, take leave betimes of the company, and disentangle ourselves from those violent importunities that engage us elsewhere and separate us from ourselves.