서간 2: On Discursiveness in Reading

Judging by what you write me, and by what I hear, I am forming a good opinion regarding your future. You do not run hither and thither and distract yourself by changing your abode; for such restlessness is the sign of a disordered spirit.

The primary indication, to my thinking, of a well-ordered mind is a man's ability to remain in one place and linger in his own company. Be careful, however, lest this reading of many authors and books of every sort may tend to make you discursive and unsteady.

You must linger among a limited number of master thinkers, and digest their works, if you would derive ideas which shall win firm hold in your mind. Everywhere means nowhere.

When a person spends all his time in foreign travel, he ends by having many acquaintances, but no friends. And the same thing must hold true of men who seek intimate acquaintance with no single author, but visit them all in a hasty and hurried manner.

Food does no good and is not assimilated into the body if it leaves the stomach as soon as it is eaten; nothing hinders a cure so much as frequent change of medicine; no wound will heal when one salve is tried after another.

Each day acquire something that will fortify you against poverty, against death, indeed against other misfortunes as well; and after you have run over many thoughts, select one to be thoroughly digested that day.

This is my own custom; from the many things which I have read, I claim some one part for myself. The thought for to-day is one which I discovered in Epicurus: 'It is a great thing to understand how to enjoy one's own being.'

This is indeed a great thing. Farewell.

From what you write to me, and from what I hear, I conceive great hopes of you. You do not run about, nor disquiet yourself by change of place: this restlessness is the sign of a troubled mind.

The first indication of a well-composed mind is, I think, that a man can stay with himself, and enjoy his own company. But take heed lest this reading of many authors and all kinds of books prove rather a vagary than an employment.

You should confine yourself to a certain number of approved writers, and take your nourishment from them; if you would fix any thing in your mind that may be serviceable. To be everywhere, is to be nowhere.

Those that pass their whole lives in travelling, make many acquaintances, but no friendships. The same must happen to those who are continually turning over authors, but give no time to any particular one.

Food does no good, nor is it assimilated into the body, when it is received and presently discharged; nothing hinders a cure so much as frequent change of medicine; wounds never heal, when plasters are changed before they take effect.

Lay in, every day, some aid against poverty, some against death, and likewise against all other calamities; and having perused several things, make choice of one to digest thoroughly that day.

This is my own custom: out of many things I have read, I make some particular thing my own. What I read today in Epicurus is this: 'It is a great point to understand how to enjoy our own being.'

This is indeed a great point. Farewell.