[103]
From all this—to return to our sketch of duty—
we see that all the appetites must be controlled
and calmed and that we must take infinite pains
not to do anything from mere impulse or at random,
without due consideration and care. For Nature has1
not brought us into the world to act as if we were
created for play or jest, but rather for earnestness
and for some more serious and important pursuits.
We may, of course, indulge in sport and jest, but in
the same way as we enjoy sleep or other relaxations,
and only when we have satisfied the claims of our
earnest, serious tasks. Further than that, the manner 2 of jesting itself ought not to be extravagant or
immoderate, but refined and witty. For as we do
not grant our children unlimited licence to play,
but only such freedom as is not incompatible with
[p. 107]
good conduct, so even in our jesting let the light
of a pure character shine forth.
M. Tullius Cicero. De Officiis. With An English Translation. Walter Miller. Cambridge. Harvard University Press; Cambridge, Mass., London, England. 1913.
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