The Woodcutter
"A woodcutter, having come onto heavily wooded Ida, looked all around, doubtful at first where he should begin his task. 'What first shall I gather?' he said gazing at the thousands of trees."
Theocritus
And I too, my dear Sir, like the wood-cutter of Ida, should doubt where to begin, were I to enter the forest of opinions, discussions and contentions which have occurred in our day. I should exclaim with Theocritus, 'What first shall I gather?' But I shall not do it. The summum bonum with me is now truly Epicurean, ease of body and tranquility of mind; and to these I wish to consign my remaining days. Men have differed in opinion, and been divided into parties by these opinions, from the first origin of societies; and in all governments where they have been permitted freely to think and to speak. The same political parties which now agitate the United States have existed thro' all time."
Jefferson to Adams
June 27, 1813
Theocritus
And I too, my dear Sir, like the wood-cutter of Ida, should doubt where to begin, were I to enter the forest of opinions, discussions and contentions which have occurred in our day. I should exclaim with Theocritus, 'What first shall I gather?' But I shall not do it. The summum bonum with me is now truly Epicurean, ease of body and tranquility of mind; and to these I wish to consign my remaining days. Men have differed in opinion, and been divided into parties by these opinions, from the first origin of societies; and in all governments where they have been permitted freely to think and to speak. The same political parties which now agitate the United States have existed thro' all time."
Jefferson to Adams
June 27, 1813
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