But let us suppose that while he was bearing this with moderation, the death of his children had intervened; here would have started a fresh grief, which, admitting it to be moderate in itself, yet still must have been a great addition to the other.

Now, to these let us add some acute pains of body, the loss of his fortune, blindness, banishment.

Supposing, then, each separate misfortune to occasion a separate additional grief, the whole would be too great to be supportable.
XVIII.

The man who attempts to set bounds to vice acts like one who should throw himself headlong from Leucate, persuaded that he could stop himself whenever he pleased.

Now, as that is impossible, so a perturbed and disordered mind cannot restrain itself, and stop where it pleases.