Nam tibi praeterea quod machiner inveniamque,
Quod placeat, nil est: eadem sunt omnia semper.[496]—
recalls the old words of the Preacher—'The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done, is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.'
[447] Cf. Juv. xiv. 319:—
'Quantum Epicure tibi parvis suffecit in hortis.'
[448] 'But the sober exercise of reason, investigating the causes why we choose or avoid anything, and banishing those opinions which cause the greatest trouble in the soul.'
[449] ii. 16-19.
[450] 'Thereupon he perceived that the vessel itself caused the evil, and that all external gains and blessings whatsoever were vitiated within through its fault, partly because he saw that it was so unsound and leaky that it could never be filled in any way, partly because he discerned that it tainted inwardly everything which it had received as it were with a nauseous flavour.'—vi. 17-23.
[451] ii. 39.
[452] vi. 404-5.