175
Zeno the Humorist being a Trader, was told upon a Day, that the Ship on whose bottom he had ventur’d his whole Estate, after having been beaten by a great Storm, perished at last at the entrance of the Haven: But he was so far from being concern’d at this sad News, that he said with a serene Countenance, I thank you Destiny for taking me from Merchandise, which is a mean and painful Employment, and carrying me back to Philosophy, which is a noble and salutary Exercise; adding, that he had rather met with a Port in the Wrack, than with a Wrack in the Port.
175
Zenon le fantasque faisant commerce de Marchandises, apprit un jour que son Vaisseau sur lequel il avoit chargé tout son bien, aprés avoir été battu d’une grande tempête ètoit enfin peri à l’entrée du Port, mais bien loin de se chagriner à cette triste nouvelle, il-dit, avec un visage serain, je te remercie Destin de ce que tu me retires du Commerce, qui est un Art bas & penible & que tu me ramenes à la Philosophie qui est un exercice noble & salutaire, ajoutant, qu’il avoit plûtot trouvé le Port dans le naufrage, que le naufrage dans le Port.