Discourse of Constancy, in Two Books

Justus Lipsius (1547-1606), though now forgotten, was once very famous; Montaigne called him "the most learned man now living". He was a talented philologist, scholar, and philosopher who spent his life in study and teaching in modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands. Religious sectarianism and independence struggles formed the backdrop to his entire life, and Lipsius found stability and courage in the writings of the ancient Stoics. "On Constancy" has been called "the manifesto of a humanist who was convinced that he had found in Seneca's philosophy both a consolation and a solution to the public calamities which he and his contemporaries were enduring". Lipsius wrote this book to show that "this Mind of ours is to be so fram'd and establish'd, as that we may find repose in the midst of troubles, and peace in the midst of Warrs." Lipsius also studies the role of Providence, God, Fate, and cosmic justice in what we suffer on earth. He offers both divine and worldly considerations to train the mind in constancy amid suffering: if we place the woes of our country in the larger context of world history, we find that even the worst of our problems are nothing in comparison to many events reported in history; unbelievable massacres have characterized the human race since the beginning. "Think upon these things", he writes, "and let this communion in miseries help to alleviate those of yours". This is the Nathaniel Wanley translation of 1670.