On Benefits

On Benefits

Synopsis

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1899. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... His become one of the adulterers, was exiled and sent banish- into Corsica, I will not say whether it were upon men* a just cause, I could wish it were not, and happily Tacitus with me, who when he speaketh of his banishment, * Seneca was angry with Claudius it was supposed by reason of the injury that was done him.' Note this injury; he therefore had received some. For who would otherwise be ignorant to interpret the accusations of that impudent harlot (I mean Messaline) and that my son beast Claudius? For, for the most part they practised no mischief but against good and innocent persons. He lived about some eight years or thereabouts in exile, ay, and constantly too; yea if we may believe himself, happily intending only the best studies, and the wholesomest meditations. For thus writeth he to his mother, that he is blessed amongst those things which are wont to make other men wretched. And afterwards (but I pray thee observe him) he worthily philosophieth, he addeth in the end and rouseth him self, Conceive what thou shouldest, think me to be joyful and addressed as it were in the best fortunes. But they are the best whenas the mind devoid of all thought intendeth him self, and sometimes delighteth him self in lighter studies, and sometimes mounteth into the consideration of the nature of him self and the whole world being desirous of truth. O man, O honest words which the author of Octavia's tragedy would imitate: for it was not he (God forbid) in these verses in the person of Seneca: -- * Far better lay I hid, removed far From envy's storms amidst the Corsic shores, Whereas my mind was far from any jar Fixt on my studies, not on earthly powers: O what content had I ! for never nature Allusions Mother of all things, mistress of each creature, in his Could grant ...

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