BOOK II PART III
have been acquainted. Compliance, by render-
ing our strength useless, makes us insensible of
it: but opposition awakens and employs it.
This is also true in the universe. Opposition
not only enlarges the soul; but the soul, when
full of courage and magnanimity, in a manner
seeks opposition.
Spumantemque daru Pecora inter In-
ertia Votis optat Aprum, aut Fulvum
descendere Mone Leonem
(And, among the tamer beasts, (he)
longs to be granted, in answer to
his prayers, a slavering boar, or to
have a tawny lion come down from
the mountain.)Whatever supports and fills the passions is