MAN IS ONLY A REED, THE WEEKEST IN NATURE,

BUT HE IS A THINKING REED.

THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE WHOLE UNIVERSE

TO TAKE UP ARMS TO CRUSH HIM:

A VAPOUR, A DROP OF WATER IS ENOUGH TO KILL HIM.

BUT IF THE UNIVERSE WERE TO CRUSH HIM,

MAN WILL STILL BE NOBLER THAN HIS SLAYER

BECUASE HE KNOWS HE IS DYING

AND THE ADVANTAGE THE UNIVERSE HAS OVER HIM.

THE UNIVERSE KNOW NONE OF THIS.

THUS ALL OUR DIGNITY CONSISTS IN THOUGHT.

IT IS ON THOUGHT THAT WE MUST DEPEND FOR OUR RECOVERY,

NOT ON SPACE AND TIME, WHICH WE COULD NEVER FILL.

LET US THEN STIVE TO THINK WELL;

THAT IS THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF MORALITY.