Happy he, in that he is freed from the tumults of the world, he seeks no honours, gapes after no preferment, flatters not, envies not, temporizeth not, but lives privately, and well contented with his estate;
Nec spes corde avidas, nec curam pascit inanem,
Securus quo fata cadant.
[He is not troubled with ambition nor vexed with care;
indifferent to the fate of kingdoms.]
He is not troubled with state matters, whether kingdoms thrive better by succession or election; whether monarchies should be mixed, temperate, or absolute; the house of Ottomon's and Austria is all one to him; he inquires not after colonies or new discoveries; whether Peter were at Rome, or Constantine's donation be of force; what comets or new stars signify, whether the earth stand or move, there be a new world in the moon, or infinite worlds, etc. He is not touched with fear of invasions, factions, or emulations.
Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy
Just had a quick look at the blog. The combination of beautiful photography and texts is exquisite! The Anatomy of Melancholy is one I have not as yet got round to reading..I have the essais of Montaigne at hand often and this seems to be a potential companion volume. Much food for thought.
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