Tusculan Disputations · Chapter
Book II: On Bearing Pain explained
Cicero and his interlocutor discuss the nature of pain, arguing that while pain is an evil, it is not the greatest evil; disgrace and wickedness are far worse.
What happens
Cicero and his interlocutor discuss the nature of pain, arguing that while pain is an evil, it is not the greatest evil; disgrace and wickedness are far worse. Cicero critiques philosophers like Aristippus and Epicurus who deem pain the greatest evil, and praises those like Posidonius who bear pain with fortitude. He emphasizes that philosophy, as the medicine of the soul, strengthens the mind to endure pain through virtue and reason.
Themes in this chapter
Mastery of Pain and Grief
The chapter focuses on bearing pain through virtue and reason, arguing that pain is not the greatest evil and can be overcome by mental fortitude.
Philosophy as Medicine for the Soul
Cicero describes philosophy as the medicine of the soul, banishing groundless fears and strengthening the mind to endure pain.
Virtue and Happiness
The discussion ties bearing pain to virtue, suggesting that a virtuous life makes pain endurable and that happiness depends on moral integrity.
Characters to notice
- Cicero
Leads the disputation on bearing pain, arguing that pain is not the greatest evil and that philosophy strengthens the soul to endure it.
- Epicurus
Criticized for claiming pain is the greatest evil and for absurdly asserting that a wise man in Phalaris's bull would call it sweet.
- Posidonius
Praised for bearing gout with dignity and lecturing on virtue while in pain, declaring pain is not an evil.
- Dionysius of Heraclea
Mentioned as a philosopher who abandoned Stoic fortitude when suffering kidney pain, claiming pain is an evil.
- Cleanthes
Reproached Dionysius for his weakness, striking his foot and quoting a verse to invoke Zeno.
- Pompey
Relates his visit to Posidonius in Rhodes, where the philosopher lectured despite severe gout.
Key passages
“Pain, it is to no purpose; notwithstanding you are troublesome, I will never acknowledge you an evil.”
Posidonius declares that despite pain's persistence, he will never admit it is an evil.
Posidonius's Stoic defiance of pain during a gout attack.
“Philosophy is the culture of the mind: this it is which plucks up vices by the roots, prepares the mind for the receiving of seeds, commits them to it, or, as I may say, sows them, in the hope that, when come to maturity, they may produce a plentiful harvest.”
Philosophy cultivates the mind, removing vices and planting virtues for a fruitful life.
Cicero's metaphor for philosophy as mental agriculture.