Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers

"
De Providentia
more than once defeated, standing erect, nevertheless,
amid the ruins of the republic.
7. Said he.
Though everything has yielded to
the behests of one man; though the lands be guarded
by legions and the seas by
fleets and the soldiers of
Caesar keep watch at our gates, there is a way of es
cape for Cato. Single-handed will he make a broad
way for liberty; this sword, pure and untarnished
even in civil strife, shall a1 length perform a worthy
and noble deed; the liberty
it could not give to his
country, it shall give to Cato. Perform my soul, a
deed long meditated, free thyself from earthly con
cerns!
8. Already Petreius and Juba have turned their
swords against each other and lie dead, slain with
mutual hands. A brave and glorious covenant to
die was that, but one that was unworthy of my
greatness;
it is as ignoble for Cato to beg for
death at the hands of another as (to beg for)
life." I
am sure the gods looked with keen satisfaction when
that hero, the intrepid liberator of himself, takes
counsel for the safety of others and provides a way of
escape for the fugitives; when he pursues his
studies
far even into that final night; when he thrusts the
sword into his own sacred breast; when he disem
bowels himself and sets free with his own hand that
purest spirit unworthy to be contaminated with a
sword.
9. Hence I would fain believe that the thrust was
badly directed and the wound not fatal;
84
it was not