Tusculan Disputations 3 ¶32 — Cicero (on the Stoics)

Cicero (on the Stoics), Tusculan Disputations 3 ¶32

Epicurus must admit these arguments, or he must take out of his book what I just now said was a literal translation, or rather he must destroy his whole book, for it is crammed full of pleasures. We must inquire, then, how we can ease him of his grief who speaks in this manner: My present state proceeds from fortune’s stings; By birth I boast of a descent from kings; Hence may you see from what a noble height I’m sunk by fortune to this abject plight. What? to ease his grief, must we mix him a cup of sweet wine, or something of that kind? Lo! the same poet presents us with another sentiment somewhere else: I, Hector, once so great, now claim your aid. We should assist her, for she looks out for help: Where shall I now apply, where seek support? Where hence betake me, or to whom resort? No means remain of comfort or of joy, In flames my palace, and in ruins Troy; Each wall, so late superb, deformed nods, And not an altar’s left t’ appease the gods. You know what should follow, and particularly this: Of father, country, and of friends bereft, Not one of all these sumptuous temples left; Which, while the fortune of our house did stand, With rich wrought ceilings spoke the artist’s hand. O excellent poet! though despised by those who sing the verses of Euphorion. He is sensible that all things which come on a sudden are harder to be borne. Therefore, when he had set off the riches of Priam to the best advantage, which had the appearance of a long continuance, what does he add? Lo! these all perish’d in one blazing pile; The foe old Priam of his life beguiled, And with his blood, thy altar, Jove, defiled. Admirable poetry! There is something mournful in the subject, as well as in the words and measure. We must drive away this grief of hers. How is that to be done? Shall we lay her on a bed of down, introduce a singer? shall we burn cedar, or present her with some pleasant liquor, and provide her something to eat? Are these the good things which remove the most afflicting grief? For you but just now said you knew of no other good. I should agree with Epicurus that we ought to be called off from grief to contemplate good things, if we could only agree upon what was good.