More wicked, destined to beget
A race more vicious still.
(III, vi, 45.)
3. Philosophical. "How charming is divine philosophy?" said the meek younger brother in "Comus" to his instructive senior. Speaking as one of the profane, I find not less charming the humanist philosophy of Horace. Be content! be moderate! seize the present! are his maxims.
Be content! A mind without anxiety is the highest good (II, xvi). Great desires imply great wants (III, xvi, 42). 'Tis well when prayer seeks and obtains no more than life requires.
Happy he,
Self-centred, who each night can say,
"My life is lived": the morn may see
A clouded or a sunny day:
That rests with Jove; but what is gone