We have to hold back our body when going downhill, and push it forward when climbing uphill. The same is true for virtues. Some virtues lead downhill, others lead uphill. There's no doubt that patience, courage, and constancy — all the virtues that face strong opposition and crush Fortune under their feet — are climbing, struggling, fighting their way up a steep hill. But isn't it just as clear that generosity, moderation, and gentleness slide easily downhill? With those easier virtues, we must hold back our spirit so it doesn't run away with us. With the harder virtues, we must push and spur ourselves forward.
As we have to check our body on a downward path, and to urge it to climb a steep one; so also the path of some virtues leads down hill, that of others uphill. Can we doubt that patience, courage, constancy, and all the other virtues which have to meet strong opposition, and to trample Fortune under their feet, are climbing, struggling, winning their way up a steep ascent? Why! is it not equally evident that generosity, moderation, and gentleness glide easily downhill? With the latter we must hold in our spirit, lest it run away with us: with the former we must urge and spur it on.