INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILEBUS,
ON
THE GREATEST GOOD.
Of this rather long, frequently corrupt, and therefore difficult dialogue, the leading object may be expressed in a very few words. It is to show, that the greatest happiness is to be found, not, as Aristippus, in a lost work, seems to have asserted, in an unlimited indulgence in the pleasures of the body, nor even in those of the mind, as laid down by the school of Pythagoras, but in the temper ate enjoyment of both, as being the best suited to the mixed nature of man, made up of matter and of mind.
In allusion to a similar union in a moral point of view of the Epicurean and Religious systems of living, Dr. Dodd, when in prison, wrote the following Epigram:
"Live whilst you live," the Epicure would say,
"And taste the pleasures of the passing day."
"Live whilst you live," the sacred preacher cries,
"And give to God each moment as it flies."
Lord, in my life let both united be;
I live to pleasure, if I live to thee.
The unfortunate English divine had, like the more fortunate lyric poet and satirist of Rome, probably learnt, that however pleasant for a time is the Epicurean doctrine, "Carpe diem," yet it was not the one which could be followed through life, even were the remark of Rochefoucault not founded on truth, that "we do not leave our vices, but they leave us."
B
