Let death surprise me when it will, and where it will. I can still be a happy man.
A person is happy who gives himself a good portion in life. A good portion means having good intentions, good desires, and good actions.
Let death surprise me when it will, and where it will, I may be εὔμοιρος, or a happy man, nevertheless.
For he is a happy man, who in his lifetime dealeth unto himself a happy lot and portion. A happy lot and portion is, good inclinations of the soul, good desires, good actions.
Think of the old nurse in that comedy. When he has to leave, he makes a big show of asking for the child's toy rattle back. But he knows it's just a rattle. Do the same thing here. What is all this arguing and shouting in the courts really about? Have you forgotten what these things actually are? Sure, other people care deeply about them and think they matter. Does that mean you have to be foolish too? I was foolish once. That's enough.
But as that old foster-father in the comedy, being now to take his leave doth with a great deal of ceremony, require his foster-child's rhombus, or rattle-top, remembering nevertheless that it is but a rhombus; so here also do thou likewise. For indeed what is all this pleading and public bawling for at the courts? O man, hast thou forgotten what those things are! yea but they are things that others much care for, and highly esteem of. Wilt thou therefore be a fool too? Once I was; let that suffice.