PERSONEpicurus says, In my sickness my conversation was not about my bodily sufferings, nor, says he, did I talk on such subjects to those who visited me; but I continued to discourse on the nature of things as before, keeping to this main point, DOGMAhow the mind, while participating in such movements as go on in the poor flesh, shall be free from perturbations and maintain its proper good. Nor did I, he says, give the physicians an opportunity of putting on solemn looks, as if they were doing something great, but my life went on well and happily. Do, then, the same that he did both in sickness, if thou art sick, and in any other circumstances; for never to desert philosophy in any events that may befall us, nor to hold trifling talk either with an ignorant man or with one unacquainted with nature, is a principle of all schools of philosophy; but to be intent only on that which thou art now doing and on the instrument by which thou doest it.

PERSONEpicurus says: in my sickness my talk was not of the sufferings of the body, nor did I speak of such things to those who came to see me; I went on discussing the nature of things as before, intent on just this — DOGMAhow the mind, sharing in such movements of the poor flesh, stays free from disturbance and keeps its own good. Nor did I let the physicians give themselves airs as though they were doing something great; my life went on well and beautifully. Do, then, as he did — in sickness, if you fall sick, and in any other hardship; for never to desert philosophy whatever befalls, and not to prattle with an ignorant man unversed in nature, is common to every school: be intent on the one thing now being done, and on the instrument with which you do it.