So, my dear Paulinus, pull yourself away from the crowd. You've weathered more storms than someone your age should have to endure. It's time to find a calmer harbor. Think about all the waves you've sailed through. Think about the storms you've faced in your personal life and the ones you brought on yourself in public service. You've proven your courage through many exhausting trials. Now see how you handle peace and quiet. The bigger part of your life — certainly the better part — has been given to your country. Take some time for yourself now. I'm not telling you to become lazy or dull. Don't drown your fiery spirit in the cheap pleasures that appeal to the masses. That's not real rest. You can find greater work than anything you've done so far — work you can do in retirement, in safety.
Whefore, my dearest Paulinus, tear yourself away from the common herd, and since you have seen more rough weather than one would think from your age, betake yourself at length to a more peaceful haven: reflect what waves you have sailed through, what storms you have endured in private life, and brought upon yourself in public. Your courage has been sufficiently displayed by many toilsome and wearisome proofs; try how it will deal with leisure: the greater, certainly the better part of your life, has been given to your country; take now some part of your time for yourself as well. I do not urge you to practise a dull or lazy sloth, or to drown all your fiery spirit in the pleasures which are dear to the herd: that is not rest: you can find greater works than all those which you have hitherto so manfully carried out, upon which you may employ yourself in retirement and security.