L'Estrange, Sir Roger (1616-1704)

Seneca's Morals by Way of Abstract

London

Printed by Thomas Newcomb for Joseph Hindmarsh

1682

"I will have a care of being a Slave to my self; for it is a Perpetual, a Shameful, and the heaviest of all Servitudes; and this may be done by moderate Desires."

It is a main point to take Care that we propose nothing but what is Hopeful, and Honest. For it will be equally troublesome to us, either not to succeed, or to be asham'd of the Success. Wherefore, Let us be sure not to admit any Ill Design into our Heart; that we may lift up pure Hands to Heaven, and ask nothing which another shall be a Loser by. Let us pray for a Good Mind, which is a Wish to no Man's Injury. I will Remember always that I am a Man, and then consider, that if I am Happy, it will not last Always; if Unhappy, I may be other if I please. I will carry my Life in my Hand, and deliver it up readily when it shall be call'd for. I will have a care of being a Slave to my self; for it is a Perpetual, a Shameful, and the heaviest of all Servitudes; and this may be done by moderate Desires. I will say to my self, What is it that I Labour, Sweat, and Sollicit for, when it is but very little that I want, and it will not be long that I shall need any thing?
(Chapter V, pp. 134-5)

Government::Slavery

Reading

Text from Seneca's Morals by Way of Abstract. To which is added A Discourse under the Title of An After-Thought. By Sir Roger L'Estrange, Knt. 11th edition (London: Printed for Jacob Tonson, 1718). <Link to Google Books><Compare 1718 edition printed by Nicholson in ECCO>

See Seneca's Morals by Way of Abstract by R. L'Estrange (London: Printed by Thomas Newcomb for Joseph Hindmarsh, 1682). <Link to EEBO>

Printed in 1678 (part I only?), 1682 (3 parts), 1685 (3rd part), 1688 (4th edition), 1693 (5th edition), 1696, 1699 [all in EEBO], 1702 (8th edition), 1705 (9th edition), 1711 (10th edition), 1718 (11th edition). Into 16th edition by 1755. 26 entries in ECCO.

09/16/2011