Letter 28 — On Travel as a Cure for Discontent (§10)

“Some boast of their faults. Do you think that the man has any thought of mending his ways who counts over his vices as if they were virtues? Therefore, as far as possible, prove yourself guilty, hunt up charges against yourself; play the part, first of accuser, then of judge, last of intercessor. At times be harsh with yourself. Farewell. ↑ Cf. Horace, Ep. i. 11, 27 caelum non animum mutant qui trans mare currunt. ↑ Aeneid, iii. 72. ↑ Aeneid, vi. 78 f. ↑ i.e., had you been able to say patria mea totus mundus est. ↑ Cf. Horace, Ep. i. 11. 28—navibus atqueQuadrigis petimus bene vivere; quod petis, hic est. ↑ Frag. 522 Usener. ↑ i.e., refuse your own intercession.”