Natural Philosopher. Eureka! Eureka!
Metaphysician. What is it? What have you found?
Nat. Phil. The art of long life.[1]
Met. And the book that you carry?
Nat. Phil. Explains my theory. This invention of mine will give me eternal life. Others may live long, but I shall live for ever. I mean that I shall acquire immortal fame.
Met. Follow my advice. Get a leaden casket; enclose therein your book; bury it; and leave in your will directions where it may be found, with instructions to your heirs not to exhume the book until they shall have discovered the art of living a happy life.
Nat. Phil. And meanwhile?
Met. Meanwhile your invention will be good for nothing. It were far better if it taught the art of living briefly.
Nat. Phil. That has already been known a long time. The discovery was not a difficult one. Met. At any rate I prefer it to yours. Nat Phil. Why?
Met. Because if life be not happy, as hitherto it has not been, it were better to endure a short term of it than a long one.