Chapter 4

7 But let us take leave of Posidonius on friendly terms, as we should, and return to the snares of Chrysippus. Let us first answer him on this very interconnection of things; we shall pursue the rest afterward. We see how greatly places differ in their natural conditions: some are healthy, others pestilential; in some, people are phlegmatic and, as it were, overflowing with humors; in others, dried out and parched. There are many other striking differences between one place and another. At Athens the air is thin, which is even thought to make the Athenians keener of mind; at Thebes it is thick, and so the Thebans are stout and strong. Yet that thin air will not make someone attend the lectures of Zeno, Arcesilaus, or Theophrastus, nor will the thick air make him seek victory at Nemea rather than at the Isthmus. Take the distinction further.

8 What can the nature of a place do to make us walk in Pompey's Portico rather than on the Campus Martius? With you rather than with someone else? On the Ides rather than the Kalends? Just as the nature of a place has some bearing on certain things and none on others, so let the configuration of the stars have an influence on certain things, if you wish; it certainly will not influence everything. “But,” he says, “since people's natures differ—some delighting in sweet things, others in slightly bitter ones; some lustful, others irascible or cruel or proud, while others recoil from such vices—since, then, one nature differs so greatly from another, what wonder is it that these differences should arise from different causes?”

7 We should part amicably from Posidonius, as fairness requires. Back now to Chrysippus and his traps. First we must answer what he says about things being interconnected. The other questions can wait. We can see enormous natural differences between places. Some are good for health; others bring disease. In some places people have too much phlegm, as though their humors were overflowing. Elsewhere they are dried out and parched. There are many other major local differences. Athens has thin air, and people think this helps make its inhabitants mentally sharper. Thebes has thick air, so its people are stout and physically powerful. But thin air won't determine that you listen to Zeno, Arcesilaus, or Theophrastus. Nor will thick air determine that you compete for victory at Nemea instead of the Isthmus. Carry that separation further.

8 How could local conditions determine our walking in Pompey's Portico instead of the Campus Martius? How could they determine our walking with you rather than another person? Or doing it at the Ides instead of the Kalends? A place's nature affects some things and has no effect on others. Allow the arrangement of the stars some influence too, if you like. It still won't affect everything. “But human natures differ,” he says. “One person enjoys sweet flavors; another likes a slightly bitter taste. Some people are sexually uncontrolled, angry, cruel, or arrogant. Others reject those faults. Given such great natural differences, why be surprised that different causes produced them?”