Chapter XII. That it is a great thing to preserve Wisdom both in Prosperity and in Adversity

I would have thee also to consider candidly how thou Dearest thyself in adversity. Shouldst thou find thyself constant in thine own tribulations, and compassionate with regard to the sorrows of others, well mayest thou rejoice. For this is a proof that thy heart is right within thee. On the contrary, it is a sign of a perverse heart, if thou findest thyself impatient perhaps in thine own troubles, and insensible to the sufferings of thy neighbour. And with regard to prosperity, is there nothing here that demands thy consideration ? Yes, undoubtedly. For if thou wilt examine the matter carefully, thou shalt recognise how few there have ever been whose minds did not relax in prosperity from their usual watchfulness and self-restraint, at least in some degree. And in the case of the incautious, has not prosperity always been to virtue what fire is to wax, what the sunshine is to ice or to snow ? King David was a wise man, and King Solomon a wiser : but the smiles of a too happy fortune caused the one to forget his wisdom in part and the other completely. He is a great man, no doubt, who, falling upon misfortune, does not fall away, even a little, from wisdom : but not less great is he whose head is not turned by the sunshine of prosperity. Indeed there are more to be found who have preserved their wisdom in adversity than in prosperity. In my opinion, therefore, he should get the preference, and is great amongst the great, whosoever does not allow himself to be even so far influenced by fortune's favour as to become more frivolous in his manner, more arrogant in his speech, or more unnecessarily concerned for the body and its clothing.