supreme end of man,—and[1] thou saidst that what I regard as the desirable is misery,—thy three objects are perishable and also unsatisfying.
59. 'But that world in which there is no old age nor fear, no birth, nor death, nor anxieties[2], that alone I consider the highest end of man, where there is no ever-renewed action.
60. 'And as for what thou saidst, "wait till old age comes, for youth is ever subject to change;"—this want of decision is itself uncertain; for age too can be irresolute and youth can be firm.
61. 'But since Fate[3] is so well skilled in its art as to draw the world in all its various ages into its power,—how shall the wise man, who desires tranquillity, wait for old age, when he knows not when the time of death will be?
62. 'When death stands ready like a hunter, with old age as his weapon, and diseases scattered about as his arrows, smiting down living creatures who fly like deer to the forest of destiny, what desire can there be in any one for length of life?
63. 'It well befits the youthful son or the old man or the child so to act with all promptitude that they may choose the action of the religious man whose soul is all mercy,—nay, better still, his inactivity.
64. 'And as for what thou saidst, “be diligent in sacrifices for religion, such as are worthy of thy race and bring a glorious fruit,”—honour to such sacrifices! I desire not that fruit which is sought by causing pain to others[4]!
