Ch. 23
Against Epicurus.
EVEN Epicurus perceives that we are by nature social, but
having once placed our good in the husk149 he is no longer
able to say anything else. For on the other hand lie
strongly maintains this, that we ought not to admire nor to
accept any thing which is detached from the nature of good;
and he is right in maintaining this. How then are we
[suspicious],150 if we have no natural affection to our children? Why do you advise the wise man not to bring up
children? Why are you afraid that he may thus fall into
[p. 70]
trouble? For does he fall into trouble on account of the
mouse which is nurtured in the house? What does he care
if a little mouse in the house makes lamentation to him?
But Epicurus knows that if once a child is born, it is no
longer in our power not to love it nor care about it. For
this reason, Epicurus says, that a man who has any sense
also does not engage in political matters; for he knows
what a man must do who is engaged in such things; for
indeed, if you intend to behave among men as you would
among a swarm of flies, what hinders you? But Epicurus,
who knows this, ventures to say that we should not bring up
children. But a sheep does not desert its own offspring,
nor yet a wolf; and shall a man desert his child? What
do you mean? that we should be as silly as sheep? but not
even do they desert their offspring: or as savage as wolves,
but not even do wolves desert their young. Well, who
would follow your advice, if he saw his child weeping
after falling on the ground? For my part I think that
even if your mother and your father had been told by an
oracle, that you would say what you have said, they would
not have cast you away.
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