A man should always have these two rules in readiness; the one to do only whatever the reason of the ruling and legislating faculty may suggest for the use of men; the other, to change thy opinion, if there is any one at hand who sets thee right and moves thee from any opinion.
In his personal notes, this passage outlines two fundamental rules for rational action and intellectual openness.
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Do not then consider life a thing of any value. + For look to the immensity of time behind thee, and to the time which is before thee, another boundless space.
It is thy duty to leave another man's wrongful act there where it is (vii. 29; ix. 38).
But if there is a providence which allows itself to be propitiated, make thyself worthy of the help of the divinity.
For every judgment and movement and desire and aversion is within, and no evil ascends so high.
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