Look at these examples from Roman history. Marius left the army but became consul seven times. Quintius was eager to finish his dictatorship, yet they called him back from his farm for a second term. Scipio marched against Carthage when he was too young for such a huge task. After he defeated Hannibal and Antiochus, brought glory to his own consulship and secured his brother's, he could have been worshipped like a god if he wanted. But political enemies tormented this savior of Rome. The same man who scorned divine honors as a young hero took stubborn pride in his exile as an old man. We will never run out of things to worry about, whether they bring pleasure or pain. Our lives get pushed from one task to the next. We will always want leisure time, but we will never actually enjoy it.
Marius is discharged from military service; he becomes consul many times: Quintius is eager to reach the end of his dictatorship; he will be called a second time from the plough: Scipio marched against the Carthaginians before he was of years sufficient for so great an undertaking; after he has conquered Hannibal, conquered Antiochus, been the glory of his own consulship and the surety for that of his brother, he might, had he wished it, have been set on the same pedestal with Jupiter; but civil factions will vex the saviour of the state, and he who when a young man disdained to receive divine honours, will take pride as an old man in obstinately remaining in exile. We shall never lack causes of anxiety, either pleasurable or painful: our life will be pushed along from one business to another: leisure will always be wished for, and never enjoyed.