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26. Man, therefore, ought to be taught the due measure of loving,
that is, in what measure he may love himself so as to be of service to
himself. For that he does love himself, and does desire to do good to
himself, nobody but a fool would doubt. He is to be taught, too, in
what measure to love his body, so as to care for it wisely and within
due limits. For it is equally manifest that he loves his body also,
and desires to keep it safe and sound. And yet a man may have
something that he loves better than the safety and soundness of his
body. For many have been found voluntarily to suffer both pains and
amputations of some of their limbs that they might obtain other objects
which they valued more highly. But no one is to be told not to desire
the safety and health of his body because there is something he desires
more. For the miser, though he loves money, buys bread for himself,
that is, he gives away money that he is very fond of and desires to
heap up, but it is because he values more highly the bodily health
which the bread sustains. It is superfluous to argue longer on a point
so very plain, but this is just what the error of wicked men often
compels us to do.
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