BOOK ONE
SENECA - THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE (1) - Lucila
CHAPTER I HOW HAVING THIS PROVIDENCE, MALES HAPPEN TO GOOD MEN
Pregúntasme, Lucilo , how it is understood that rule the world with divine providence, many evils happen to good people. Reason for this I would give you more comfort in the context of the book, when proved that presides over all things divine Providence, and that God assists us. But because you have shown to be separated like this the whole party, and that whole business being decided estregarded as miracles, which are the hot water through rivers, or new areas of islands are found on the high seas (2); and see who makes comments removed in water, leaving the banks bare, and shortly again be met, and know that with some volubility retire and shrink within itself, and the waves back out again, looking to current rapid his seat, sometimes growing with lots and down and up in the same Diaye in the same time, show and as major and minor and attracts the moon, which will grow the ocean. All this is reserved for appropriate time, because if you complain of divine Providence, not doubt it.
I want to get in friendship with the gods, who are good with the good, because nature does not agree that property damage to the good. Between God and righteous men is a true friendship, united by virtue and friendship when I said, I should say a close familiarity, and even a certain similarity, because the good man differs from God in time, being a disciple and imitated him, for that wonderful father, who is demanding soft virtues, breeding more harshly to the good, as do severe parents. Therefore when thou seest the righteous and beloved men of God have jobs and faTIGAS, and walking uphill, and unlike the bad guys are lush and abundant pleasures, Be convinced that the way we like the modesty of children, and delights us leave the house-born slaves , and the first confrontation with melancholy recollection, and the other encourages the ease, so does the same God, having no pleasure to a good man, who experiences it is made hard because it prepares you for yes. CHAPTER II
Why, many adverse things happening to good men, we say that it is no bad thing can happen? Things do not mix contrary, the same as tantos many rivers and rainfall, and the strength of many healthy sources do not change even temper the despondency of the sea and not upset the mind of man of strong adversity Avenue. Always remains in being, and everything that happens makes the same color, because it is more powerful than all the external things. I'm not saying do not feel them, but I say that the ends, and that being calm and still stands against the things that you are rushed, judging that all effects are examination and experience of its value. For what man raised a decent things just do not feel like the work, being ready to trades, at the risk of hazards? And to qu & eacunly to work, but also with weight, faint with the same load. Happiness was never offended do not know, shocks some, but which has had ongoing fights with the descomodidades, críanse callus with injuries without surrendering to the woes, since although the sharp fall, fight to its knees. Do you admire by chance that this God, the great lover of the good and loving them and chosen Excellencies, assigns the fortune to be exercised with it? I admire when I see them take effect, because the gods are delightful sight to see the great men struggling with adversity. We usually have the entertainment of seeing a young man & aacutto soul, unworthy of being stained with iron. I think not without reason was the wound hardly certain and effective, because not enough entertainment for the gods to see only once in this predicament to Cato. Retúvose, and came to himself the power to show off in the most difficult, because it is not necessary as brave spirit for a death to return to undertake it. Why had not the gods look like his godson, that so illustrious and memorable getaway? Death lingers praise those whose end even those who fear it. CHAPTER III
But because when we go further withyou can call it miserable, he never can be.
first thing I said that these things we fear and horror who are favorable to them whom they happen, and this is the most difficult of my propositions. Dirásme: how can it be useful to be banished, to come to poverty, to bury the children and women, suffering ignominy and be weakened? If you admire it, I also admire that there are some who cure their diseases with iron and fire, hungry and thirsty. And if you settest to think that a lot to cure them fray and find bones, they cut open the veins and some members who could not keepence of self, having happened all things according to his wish, and wish them many even before. Gods did wrong concept of it; tuviéronle unworthy of that could ever beat the fortune, because it avoids all the loose, saying: "What I have myself to it by contrast? Surrender weapons to the point, for it is not necessary with all my power, with only a slight threat to flee, has no value to wait my view, find another with whom I may come to blows, because I meet disdain man who is ready to give up. "The gladiator is out to shame the peelat the bottom it is because he knows defeat is not glory that expires safely. So does the fortune, which seeks the strongest and which are the same: to leave them to another annoyance: the most upright and stubborn rush, putting all his strength against him. Mucio experienced in the fire, Fabricio poverty, Rutilio exile in Regulus torment, poison Socrates, and Cato's death. Nothing else is large examples but it is the misfortune. Is it by chance Mucio unfortunate, because with his right hand pressed the torch of fire of their enemies, as punishment for his mistake, and that does hand burned away the King, who with her navy could not?, & iQuest; out by this most fortunate if warmed in the bosom of her friend? And is it by chance Fabricio unhappy, and hewed their fields in time of rest in the Republic acudíaa not, and have had equal wealth wars with Pyrrhus, and sitting by his fireplace because that ancient winning dining roots of herbs which he had started, weeding their fields?, do be more happy if gasket in remote fish belly banks and pilgrims fighters, and if awakened the stomach no appetite, vomiting willing, with the oysters of both of seas, top and bottom?, does it with plenty of apples surround the beasts of the game, holding to death of many hunters? Is it by chance Rutilio unhappy because you were convicted will be sentenced in all ages, and because they suffered more equanimity being removed to the country that the standard be of exile, and because E l only help the dictator refused Sula? And being called back from exile, not only wine, but soon withdrew further, saying: "Look at those things to those prisoners who in Rome is happiness: to see in the square and Lake Servilius large amount of blood (this was the place where the seizure of Sula plundered and killed the outlaw): see the heads of the senadores and the crowd of murderers who are found stray each step by the city and see many thousands of Roman citizens torn in one place, after given the faith, or better say, deceived by the same faith . Look at these things which can not bear the exile. "Sula Is happier because when you are down to Court Square with swords, and hang their heads because it enables the consular men, counting the price deaths treasure and deeds? Do this the same as signed into law Cornelia (6)! We come to Regulus, let us see what offended him fortune, having madeUbiera osadíaa someone have to confess that wants to be Patron and not Regulus, this man, though he disguises undoubtedly would rather be Terence. "You judge abused because Socrates drank the potion of immortality, of death disputed even death, and that gradually taking over the cold, shrugged the force of the veins? Much more reason to be jealous of it than those who were given the drink in beautiful vases, and whom the young man trimming, mowing or ambiguous manhood, accustomed to rape, Snow pours them into gold cup! All they drink it again with tristp; nbsp;
ICSC CHAPTER IV
prosperous things happen to the mills and vile rabble, and conversely, the calamities and terrors, and enslavement of mortals, are those of the great man. To live forever in happiness, and spending life without any remorse of mind, is to ignore a part of nature. Are you big man? Where do I know if fortune has given you to hold your hand with virtue? Vinistenea the Olympic Games, and they did not have competitor: take the Olympic crown, but not victory. Rejoice not give you as a champion: dóytele as to who reached the consulate or the district that stay increased. The same I can tell the good man, if some difficult case gave no occasion on which to display the courage of his mind. Júzgate for dirty if you never were: life without having spent the contrary, no one (not even you) know how far reaching your strength, because to have knowledge of self, we need some proof, because no enough to know what is bound to pro, Whom God has judged worthy to experience everything in our power that human nature can endure. "Flee from the pleasures and happiness enervated that wilt the spirits, whom you never something adverse happens to them warning of the human kind, are as adormidos in a perpetual drunkenness. He whom the glass (10) air always fought, and whose feet were heated with the poultice several times changed their minds, which tempers the heat coteries post below or leaning against the walls to this as any slight wind would offended, and not without danger, be harmful in all things unusual, so it becomes dangerous intemperance in the happiness vanishneed the brain and the mind attracts several fantasies, spilling a lot of darkness that stands between the false and true. Why, therefore, not be better to suffer a perpetual unhappiness wake of virtue, the infinite and disorderly bursting with goods? Death is less painful and with fasting, and more anguished with crudities. Gods among men are just what the teachers in his disciples, who seek to work more than those of who have higher expectations. Do you by any chance that the Spartans are haters of their children because they experience their value to see flogging in public, and call upon them to be abused to suffer the blows with strength qurisks of them breeds contempt: for this reason the bodies of the sailors are hard to suffer the work of the sea, and the farmers have rough hands, and arms of the soldiers are more apt to throw darts . The emails have limbed, and each one is very strong that part is exercised. The profit comes with the patience to despise the power of evil, and if thou wilt know what he could reach us, believes the nations where it has its limits since the Pax Romana: I mean the Germans, and other people who go stray on the banks of the Danube, provided the press a perpetual winter and a clouded sky, and supportpeople. Why, then, I admire that good men are abused, to be fortified with the humiliation? No tree is solid and strong but weary of constant winds, because the same battle they are tightened and strengthens the roots: and, conversely, those who grew up in sheltered valleys are fragile . Accordingly, for good men is to be well versed in awesome things, so that they become bold, suffering with equanimity things are not bad but for him who suffers wrong . CHAPTER V
adds that it is also good for all (I decute; that, but think it unfair that the good man is weak, injured and abused, and that bad roam free and effeminate. If you say so, it would be wicked thing stronger than men take up arms, and spend the night in the campaign, assisting in the battalion with the wounds tied and in the meantime is n sedate and safe in the city of eunuchs, who profess dishonesty. And it does not seem fair that most noble virgin night to unveil the sacrifices, when women have tainted view of deep sleep. The paper quoted the good, and the Senate usually spend all day in council, when in mysmo time the meanest man delights his leisure in the countryside, or is contained in the still life, or spend time in a lightweight ride. The same, then, happens in this great republic of the world in which men hold good work and, without being forced to voluntarily follow the fortunes, matching her steps, and if they knew where the routers, overtakes him. I also remember hearing this very strong reason to Demetrio: "From this alone I can not complain, O immortal gods, that before now you have I made known your will, for there first come to these things that now I am ready. Would you take offchildren? For you grew up. You want a member of my body? Take him, and I do a lot to offer, having left them all very quickly. You want life?, Why do not I give? No detention will be in restore to you the you gave me. Pidiéredes everything, you will receive from me, that will give it. Why, what am I complaining? That would give for offering voluntary, rather than restitution. What need is there to take what podíades receive? For even with all that I have to remove anything, because it is not removed but that the retiNo large variety, it is a fate. Mortals habemos received what mortal use, because the nature of their bodies as she gustare, and us being happy and strong in all, we think that nothing is perishable wealth of ours. What thing is man's own good? Surrender to fate (13), for being great consolation to be taken with the universe. What reason is there to send us live and die as well? The same necessity forced the Gods, because an equally irrevocable course takes things human and divine. That this trainer and governor of all things, wrote the fates, but follow them: once commanded, and always run (14). Why, then, being God, was not just in the distribution of fate, good men assigned to poverty, injury and sad funerals? The architect can not change the subject: this is what suffered. There are many things that can not be separated from others, because they have such consistency that they are indivisible. The mills lazy and sleepy, which seems to sleep wakefulness are forged weak elements, but to form a male guard must be called, is needed stronger fate. And it will not find flat road, it is necessary to go uphill and downhill, suffering storms running the ship in the Alboran SeaTreaty; and taking all his wanderings found the fortune, it must be many adverse things happen to you, rough and hard for him to pave. The fire gold rushes, and calamity to men strong. Look at the height where the power has to go, and know that it is not reached by roads plains. (15) "The beginning of the road is hard, and in the morning he can hardly claim the horses feet to be high, in the midst of heaven, where looking the sea to land and frightens me down, beating his chest in fear. The last thing it is downhill, and needs of particular industry, so the goddess Thetis, received me in the deep subject, often distrustI ar not falling down. "Having heard these difficulties that generous young man, said:" That way I like, I go in the car. Is estimated to make this trip so much that has to fall, which does not allow the mind to be scared cow. And you hit the road without any errors you deviate, you have to go through the opponent's horns Toro, and Hemonios arches, and the mouth of the violent León. "After this said, "Pretend that you have given the car. With these things, scares you judge me, urges me, because I have like myself where the sun has the same fear: that is loose shot and take things safe: so hard walking thevirtue. "
CHAPTER VI Why does God allow good men to do them any harm? Does not permit this: Before they depart from all evil, wickedness, the lusts, the evil thoughts, tips greedy, blind greed and sensuality, longing always gossiping. Is there by chance who ask God to save their jewels of the good? They exempted from this carefully, because they despise everything external. Demetrius threw wealth, judging were charging straight understanding: for why you admire may consent to the good God who will suceda what it wants good ever happen? Men lose their children good, who cares, if you ever kill themselves? (16). They banished the good: it matters little whether they willingly are often banished from their homeland, without intent to return to it. They are killed, what matter, if perhaps they themselves take their own lives? (17) Why, then, have some adversity? To teach others to suffer, because they were born to be an example. Know therefore that God tells them: "You who like them the right things what you can not complain about me? Others have been bogus goods, and some empty minds: teasedas sad, terrible and hard to endure. Not to withhold these things, I set up your minds against them, and this part seems you pass along to the Gods, because they can not have evil, and ye yourselves above the passions of them. Despise poverty, since no one lives with such as he had when he was born. Despise the pain, because either he or I will end eventually. Despise fortune, because it gave him weapons that might offend the spirits. Despise death, or you just transferred. And above all did things that no law could stop forced you, since you made it clear the exit, and if you want to fight you can not escape. Y por the cause of all things that I wanted to be necessary, neither did it was easier to die, I put the soul in place ready to surrender. Hear now and see how short and unoccupied is the way that leads you to freedom. Do not put such long delays at the output of life, many at the entrance, because otherwise, if both die as tardáredes born, you had the fortune on an extended empire. Everywhere I showed the facility is to give to nature, turning his gift. Learn death, while you see that between them the solemn ceremonial altars and life is left. "L The strong bodiesbulls you fall from a small wound, as animals of great strength knocking the blow of a human hand, and with thin iron breaks the nape of the neck, and when the locking collar nerve head is cut falls that great weight. The spirit is not locked in a deep place or has to take with scribbles, no need to mess around with new wound the bowels, which neighbor is more death. No particular place to put these beats: for anyone willing to what we call death, when it fired the soul of the body: it is something so short he can not know your speed, whether it be pushing a lump in my throat, now preventing the water to breathe, sometimes hardnessbreak ground at the head of those who fall, or grilled foods cut the course of the spirit that turns back. Be that as it may, all run fast. What then do you empacháis and you are so long fearing what is done in an instant? __________
NOTES (1) Rodriguez de Castro, in Volume II of his English Library, said: "The book De Providentia after he wrote Seneca ; s Cayo's death, to answer the question of his friend Lucio, who wanted to know why they had to endure hardships that eror permission.
(6) Lex Cornelia de Sicariis . (7) At least you should do.
(8) In saying that there was God, speaks as a Gentile, there is only one God Almighty. (9) says that hardens, remove the liberlad not because, but because it denies the effective aid, that of grace could give, or say that because styling with work hardening.
(10) translates Navarrete glass mirror by
stones. The Romans did not know the use of glasses, were served in place of those who were a sort of powder.
(11) Demetrius and Gentile dec & iacu