Measure him without his stilts; let him lay aside his revenues and his titles; let him present himself in his shirt.

Then examine if his body be sound and sprightly, active and disposed to perform its functions.

What soul has he?
Is she beautiful, capable, and happily provided of all her faculties?
Is she rich of what is her own, or of what she has borrowed?
Has fortune no hand in the affair?
Can she, without winking, stand the lightning of swords?
is she indifferent whether her life expire by the mouth or through the throat?
Is she settled, even and content?
This is what is to be examined, and by that you are to judge of the vast differences betwixt man and man.

Is he: "Sapiens, sibique imperiosus, Quern neque pauperies, neque mors, neque vincula terrent; Responsare cupidinibus, contemnere honores Fortis; et in seipso totus teres atque rotundus, Externi ne quid valeat per laeve morari; In quem manca ruit semper fortuna ?" ["The wise man, self-governed, whom neither poverty, nor death, nor chains affright: who has the strength to resist his appetites and to contemn honours: who is wholly self-contained: whom no external objects affect: whom fortune assails in vain." -- Horace, Sat., ii.

7,] such a man is five hundred cubits above kingdoms and duchies; he is an absolute monarch in and to himself: "Sapiens,.