To live happily is an inward power of the soul, when she is affected with indifferency, towards those things that are by their nature indifferent.
To be thus affected she must consider all worldly objects both divided and whole: remembering withal that no object can of itself beget any opinion in us, neither can come to us,
but stands without still and quiet; but that we ourselves beget, and as it were print in ourselves opinions concerning them.
Now it is in our power, not to print them; and if they creep in and lurk in some corner, it is in our power to wipe them off.
Remembering moreover, that this care and circumspection of thine, is to continue but for a while, and then thy life will be at an end.
And what should hinder, but that thou mayest do well with all these things?
For if they be according to nature, rejoice in them, and let them be pleasing and acceptable unto thee.
But if they be against nature, seek thou that which is according to thine own nature, and whether it be for thy credit or no, use all possible speed for the attainment of it: for no man ought to be blamed, for seeking his own good and happiness.