59. Man alone, of those that are on the earth, bears about him, by means of his memory, the histories of things done in former times ; converses with those who are (now) no more, as with those who are at hand : examines the opinions of the wise who have existed at any period ; and from these, rather than from those who are his contemporaries, does he receive profit. And (thus) by the faculty of reason,—cognate with that of thought,—does he exist with those who have long ceased to be.