Conspiracy of Catiline (2)

In early times, accordingly, kings (for that was the first title of sovereignty in the world) applied themselves in different ways;[*] some exercised the mind, others the body. At that period, however,[*] the life of man was passed without covetousness [*] every one was satisfied with his own. But after Cyrus in Asia[*] and the Lacedæmonians and Athenians in Greece, began

to subjugate cities and nations, to deem the lust of dominion a reason for war, and to imagine the greatest glory to be in the most extensive empire, it was then at length discovered, by proof and experience,[*] that mental power has the greatest effect in military operations. And, indeed,[*] if the intellectual ability[*] of kings and magistrates[*] were exerted to the same degree in peace as in war, human affairs would be more orderly and settled, and you would not see governments shifted from hand to hand,[*] and things universally changed and confused. For dominion is easily secured by those qualities by which it was at first obtained. But when sloth has introduced itself in the place of industry, and covetousness and pride in that of moderation and equity, the fortune of a state is altered together with its morals; and thus authority is always transferred from the less to the more deserving.[*]

Even in agriculture,[*] in navigation, and in architecture, whatever man performs owns the dominion of intellect. Yet many human beings, resigned to sensuality and indolence, uninstructed

and unimproved, have passed through life like travelers in a strange country;[*] to whom, certainly, contrary to the intention of nature, the body was a gratification, and the mind a burden. Of these I hold the life and death in equal estimation;[*] for silence is maintained concerning both. But he only, indeed, seems to me to live, and to enjoy life, who, intent upon some employment, seeks reputation from some ennobling enterprise, or honorable pursuit.

But in the great abundance of occupations, nature points out different paths to different individuals.