This communicating of a man's self to his friend works two contrary effects; for it redoubleth joys, and cutteth griefs in half. Those who educate children well are more to be honored than they who produce them; for these only gave them life, those the art of living well. The ideal man bears the accidents of life with dignity and grace, making the best of circumstances. To enjoy the things we ought, and to hate the things we ought, has the greatest bearing on excellence of character. The happy life is thought to be one of excellence; now an excellent life requires exertion, and does not consist in amusement. Virtue is more clearly shown in the performance of fine actions than in the non-performance of base ones. We give up leisure in order that we may have leisure, just as we go to war in order that we may have peace. We make war that we may live in peace. We should behave to our friends as we would wish our friends to behave to us. What it lies in our power to do, it lies in our power not to do. |