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Posted by Jeff on January 14, 2008, 7:09 pm
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The entire universe need not arm itself to crush him. A
vapour, a drop of water suffices to kill him. But, if the universe were to
crush him, man would still be more noble than that which killed him, because
he knows that he dies and the advantage which the universe has over him; the
universe knows nothing of this.
All our dignity consists, then, in thought. By it we must elevate ourselves,
and not by space and time which we cannot fill. Let us endeavour, then, to
think well; this is the principle of morality.
348. A thinking reed.--It is not from space that I must seek my dignity, but
from the government of my thought. I shall have no more if I possess worlds.
By space the universe encompasses and swallows me up like an atom; by
thought I comprehend the world.
349. Immateriality of the soul--Philosophers who have mastered their
passions. What matter could do that?
350. The Stoics.--They conclude that what has been done once can be done
always, and that, since the desire of glory imparts some power to those whom
it possesses, others can do likewise. There are feverish mo
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