7. Every moment of time, every place, can teach you how easy it is to quit nature’s service and to return to her her gift. At the very foot of the altar and amid the solemnities of those who are offering sacrifices for the preservation of life, learn to know death. The huge bodies of bulls drop from the effects of a little wound, and beasts of enormous strength are felled by a blow from a human hand; with a little piece of iron the jointures of the vertabrae are severed, and when the ligature that binds the head and neck is cut asunder, the huge mass falls dead to the ground. 8. The breath does not lurk in some secret hiding place, nor must it necessarily be sought out with the sword; there is no need of piercing the vitals with a deep wound; death is close at hand. I have not designated any particular place for the fatal thrust, it may enter anywhere. What is called death, that time in which the spirit leaves the body, is so brief that its fleetness cannot be perceived. Whether it be a noose that strangles you, or water that suffocates you, or a fall upon the hard earth that dashes the life out of you, or fire drawn in with the breath that cuts off its return—whatever it be, its effect is speedy. Are you not ashamed to fear so long what may be done so quickly?” NOTES. A few notes have been added to the translation. They bear chiefly on obscure allusions in Seneca’s treatise, as the necessary biographical data may be found in almost any encyclopedia. The notes are placed by themselves so as not to interrupt the reader, who may omit them, if he chooses. I. 2. It was held by some of the Greek philosophers, notably Epicurus, that the universe was built up by a fortuitous concourse of atoms. 4. Some texts have _quaeris_, you are seeking information. 6. _Vernae_ were slaves born in the household of their masters, sometimes his own children by a female slave. The _licentia vernularum_ was proverbial in Rome. The _vernae_ and _vernulae_ were allowed privileges not accorded to slaves obtained by purchase. II. _In suum colorem_, to its colors. The parties represented in the race-course were distinguished by different colors. The significance of the expression is therefore evident. Another less probable explanation of the passage is that the author has reference to the effect of red wine when mixed with liquids of another color. 3. As the holidays in Rome were very numerous much time was lost by those who spent all of them in idleness. 7. Cato, surnamed Uticensis, is here meant. He was the patron saint of the Roman Stoics. 9. The sentence here translated, “For death,” etc., may also mean, “For it requires less courage to meet death (once) than to seek it a second time.” III. 6. The wild boar roasted whole was generally placed on the center of the table. Around it were piled fruits, vegetables, etc.