1Mankind complains of its own nature without cause, saying that, being weak and short-lived, it is governed by chance rather than by merit. 2For on the contrary, if you reflect on it, you will find nothing greater or more excellent, and that it is effort on men's part that nature lacks rather than strength or time. 3But the guide and commander of mortal life is the mind. 3When it strides along the path of virtue towards glory, it is abundantly strong and powerful and renowned, and has no need of fortune, since fortune can neither give nor snatch away from anyone honesty, diligence and the other good qualities. 4But if, captured by depraved desires, it has sunk into idleness and the pleasures of the body, then, after indulging for a little while in ruinous lust, when through sloth strength, time and talent have melted away, it is the weakness of nature that is accused: each man, though himself to blame, shifts his own fault onto circumstances.
5But if men had as much concern for good things as the zeal with which they seek what is foreign to them, of no profit, and often even dangerous and ruinous, they would not be ruled by events more than they ruled them, and would advance to such a height of greatness that from mortals they would become immortal through glory.