January
| 14 | It is proper for all men who want to be above animals to try and not let life pass them by quietly like cattle, who nature enslaves and shapes obedience by the stomach. But as a whole, our strength lies in mind and body; the mind commands, the body rather serves; in the one way we are like the gods, and in the other like beasts. Therefore, it seems more right to me that glorious works be sought in the mind, since the life we enjoy is brief; to make our memory as long as possible. As the glory of wealth and beauty are transient and fragile, all eternity is held by virtue. But for a long time men have fought much about whether the body or the virtues of the mind bring success in things military. As while when first starting, you consider, and when you have considered, timely action is needed. In this way, the one incomplete without the other, the one needs the help of the other. |
| 20 | To begin, therefore, kings - for this was the first name for rule on earth - turned in different directions, some employing the mind, others employing the the body; even then the life of men was led without greed, they then were fully satisfied. But after Cyrus of Asia, the Greek Spartans and Athenians subjugated cities and nations, |
Januarius
| xiv | Omnis homines, qui sese student praestare ceteris animalibus, summa ope niti decet, ne vitam silentio transeant veluti pecora, quae natura prona atque ventri oboedientia finxit. Sed nostra omnis vis in animo et corpore sita est: animi imperio, corporis servitio magis utimur; alterum nobis cum dis, alterum cum beluis commune est. Quo mihi rectius videtur ingeni quam virium opibus gloriam quaerere et, quoniam vita ipsa, qua fruimur, brevis est, memoriam nostri quam maxume longam efficere. Nam divitiarum et formae gloria fluxa atque fragilis est, virtus clara aeternaque habetur. Sed diu magnum inter mortalis certamen fuit, vine corporis an virtute animi res militaris magis procederet. Nam et, prius quam incipias, consulto et, ubi consulueris, mature facto opus est. Ita utrumque per se indigens alterum alterius auxilio eget. |
| xx | Igitur initio reges—nam in terris nomen imperi id primum fuit—divorsi pars ingenium, alii corpus exercebant: etiam tum vita hominum sine cupiditate agitabatur; sua cuique satis placebant. Postea vero quam in Asia Cyrus, in Graecia Lacedaemonii et Athenienses coepere urbis atque nationes subigere, lubidinem dominandi causam belli habere, maxumam gloriam in maxumo imperio putare, tum demum periculo atque negotiis compertum est in bello plurumum ingenium posse. Quod si regum atque imperatorum animi virtus in pace ita ut in bello valeret, aequabilius atque constantius sese res humanae haberent neque aliud alio ferri neque mutari ac misceri omnia cerneres. Nam imperium facile iis artibus retinetur, quibus initio partum est. Verum ubi pro labore desidia, pro continentia et aequitate lubido atque superbia invasere, fortuna simul cum moribus inmutatur. Ita imperium semper ad optumum quemque a minus bono transferetur. |
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