Someone arrives from Rome. You think, "I hope nothing bad happened." But what harm could happen to you when you're not even there? Someone comes from Greece. "I hope there's no bad news." This way, every place on earth becomes a source of worry for you. Isn't it enough to deal with problems where you actually are? Do you need to suffer over distant places too, all because of what some letter might say? Is this what you call living securely? Now suppose your friends have died in faraway places. What happened to them except the normal human condition? How can you want to live to old age and also never see anyone you love die?
Some person has arrived from Rome. I only hope there is no harm. But what harm can happen to you, where you are not? From Hellas (Greece) some one is come; I hope that there is no harm. In this way every place may be the cause of misfortune to you. Is it not enough for you to be unfortunate there where you are, and must you be so even beyond sea, and by the report of letters? Is this the way in which your affairs are in a state of security? Well then suppose that my friends have died in the places which are far from me. What else have they suffered than that which is the condition of mortals? Or how are you desirous at the same time to live to old age, and at the same time not to see the death of any person whom you love?