Second, think about what our bodies are like from the time they are raw and unformed until they come to life. And from when they come to life until they die. What are they made of? What will they break down into?
Secondly, what like unto our bodies are whilest yet rude and imperfect, until they be animated: and from their animation, until their expiration: of what things they are compounded, and into what things they shall be dissolved.
Keep three things always ready in your mind: First, about your own actions — make sure you do nothing without purpose or against what is right and fair. Second, about things that happen to you from outside — they happen either by chance or by providence. Either way, it makes no sense to blame them.
These three things thou must have always in a readiness: first concerning thine own actions, whether thou doest nothing either idly, or otherwise, than justice and equity do require: and concerning those things that happen unto thee externally, that either they happen unto thee by chance, or by providence; of which two to accuse either, is equally against reason.