28The periodic movements of the universe are the same, up and down from age to age. And either the universal intelligence puts itself in motion for every separate effect, and if this is so, be thou content with that which is the result of its activity; or it put itself in motion once, and everything else comes by way of sequence51The words which immediately follow κατ᾽ ἐπακολούθησιν are corrupt. But the meaning is hardly doubtful. (Compare vii. 75.) in a manner: or indivisible elements are the origin of all things.—In a word, if there is a god, all is well; and if chance rules, do not thou also be governed by it.
Soon will the earth cover us all: then the earth too will change, and the things also which result from change will continue to change for ever, and these again for ever. For if a man reflects on the changes and transformations which follow one another like wave after wave and their rapidity, he will despise everything which is perishable.
Notes
[51] The words which immediately follow κατ᾽ ἐπακολούθησιν are corrupt. But the meaning is hardly doubtful. (Compare vii. 75.)