We aren't locked out of any time period. We can explore every subject. If we can find the mental strength to break free from our human limitations, we have endless time to explore and learn. We can debate with Socrates. We can question everything with Carneades. We can find peace with Epicurus. We can rise above human nature with the Stoics, or reject social conventions with the Cynics. Since nature lets us connect with every age, why do we stay trapped in our own brief, fleeting lives? Why not give our whole mind to what is vast, eternal, and shared with the greatest people who ever lived?
we are not shut out from any period, we can make our way into every subject, and, if only we can summon up sufficient strength of mind to overstep the narrow limit of human weakness, we have a vast extent of time wherein to disport ourselves: we may argue with Socrates, doubt with Carneades, repose with Epicurus, overcome human nature with the Stoics, out-herod it with the Cynics. Since Nature allows us to commune with every age, why do we not abstract ourselves from our own petty fleeting span of time, and give ourselves up with our whole mind to what is vast, what is eternal, what we share with better men than ourselves?