A small Greek cross in red ink.

OF MAXIMUS OF TYRE, THE PLATONIC PHILOSOPHER

OF THE LECTURES AT ROME OF THE FIRST SOJOURN

A red floral or asterism mark. ON PLEASURE AND THAT EVEN IF IT IS A GOOD, IT IS NOT STABLE. 1.

Large ornamental red initial Chi (Χ). It is difficult, both in itself and for me in every way, and not safe for the voice, the duty which I have set for myself, if there is any virtue in toil A red floral mark.—for the soul is loosed, and while the strength is exercised, the body itself is defeated by infirmity. It does not even permit one to be sober thinking about it through virtue, for one who does not employ it entirely through fortune. But toward hope, as it is not left to be well-regarded in toiling; and even if it seems so to you, but to men only—if not a garment—the good is something for all who are coming and who are debating, and not one and the same from the beginning, persuaded by fortune, and even the wild beasts [do] this thing. Small red initial Omicron (Ο). For not from whence the sophists have a pretext for discourses and study, and the people perceive nothing of this thing, equal to not existing; for not even if salvation appeared, because of wishing to propose the discourse unwillingly, is there anything invincible to those concerning it.
Small red initial Sigma (Σ). For to you, nothing ceases to be learned, of which in the season of souls dysentery being present, others are carried like water and sea in the deep, and fortune assumes greater weight for those who are, but not even to know virtue; for with bad fortune it is shipwrecked and neglected. And for the flesh, as it were for fortune, it casts itself in, under maniacal impulses and toils. Who then is this, for it seems to me to be more essential; for wisdom and exercises alone are pressed into their desires; which do not endure the wisdom of the soul, but proclaim the discourse, just as one being loosed and anchoring his food as a fugitive?.
Small red initial Mu (Μ). Great to you is the good, whatever the discourses may say, and for the presence of themes and the cause, and indeed to restore the strength and the salvation under the law for those who philosophize. For what matter is it that they call evil? They are not straitened by money, and they do not keep themselves even for such men who are given over to lead the rivers.

PITTACUS, UPON LAYING DOWN HIS RULE, SAID TO THOSE WONDERING: IT IS DIFFICULT TO BE NOBLE. SOLON, HAVING CONDEMNED HIS WEAKNESS, SAID: NOBLE THINGS ARE DIFFICULT. IT SEEMS BOTH PROVERBS HAVE BEEN PRESERVED.