I
ArethesetheonlyworksofProvidencewithinus？Whatwordssufficetopraiseorsetthemforth？Hadwebutunderstanding，shouldweeverceasehymningandblessingtheDivinePower，bothopenlyandinsecret，andtellingofHisgraciousgifts？Whetherdiggingorploughingoreating，shouldwenotsingthehymntoGod：——
GreatisGod，forthatHehathgivenussuchinstrumentstotillthegroundwithal：
GreatisGod，forthatHehathgivenushandsandthepowerofswallowinganddigesting；ofunconsciouslygrowingandbreathingwhilewesleep!
Thusshouldweeverhavesung；yeaandthis，thegrandestanddivinesthymnofall：——
GreatisGod，forthatHehathgivenusamindtoapprehendthesethings，anddulytousethem!
Whatthen!seeingthatmostofyouareblinded，shouldtherenotbesomeonetofillthisplace，andsingthehymntoGodonbehalfofallmen？WhatelsecanIthatamoldandlamedobutsingtoGod？WereIanightingale，Ishoulddoafterthemannerofanightingale。WereIaswan，Ishoulddoafterthemannerofaswan。Butnow，sinceIamareasonablebeing，ImustsingtoGod：thatismywork：Idoit，norwillIdesertthismypost，aslongasitisgrantedmetoholdit；anduponyoutooIcalltojoininthisself—samehymn。
II
Howthendomenact？Asthoughonereturningtohiscountrywhohadsojournedforthenightinafairinn，shouldbesocaptivatedtherebyastotakeuphisabodethere。
"Friend，thouhastforgottenthineintention!Thiswasnotthydestination，butonlylayonthewaythither。"
"Nay，butitisaproperplace。"
"Andhowmanymoreofthesorttheremaybe；onlytopassthroughuponthyway!Thypurposewastoreturntothycountry；
torelievethykinsmen’sfearsforthee；thyselftodischargethedutiesofacitizen；tomarryawife，tobegetoffspring，andtofilltheappointedroundofoffice。Thoudidstnotcometochooseoutwhatplacesaremostpleasant；butrathertoreturntothatwhereinthouwastbornandwherewertappointedtobaacitizen。"
III
Trytoenjoythegreatfestivaloflifewithothermen。
IV
ButIhaveonewhomImustplease，towhomImustbesubject，whomImustobey：——God，andthosewhocomenexttoHim。
Hehathentrustedmewithmyself：Hehathmademywillsubjecttomyselfaloneandgivenmerulesfortherightusethereof。
V
Rufususedtosay，Ifyouhaveleisuretopraiseme，whatI
sayisnaught。Intruthhespokeinsuchwise，thateachofuswhosatthere，thoughthatsomeonehadaccusedhimtoRufus：——sosurelydidhelayhisfingerontheverydeedswedid：sosurelydisplaythefaultsofeachbeforehisveryeyes。
VI
ButwhatsaithGod？——"Haditbeenpossible，Epictetus，I
wouldhavemadeboththatbodyofthineandthypossessionsfreeandunimpeded，butasitis，benotdeceived：——itisnotthineown；itisbutfinelytemperedclay。SincethenthisIcouldnotdo，IhavegiventheeaportionofMyself，inthepowerofdesiringanddecliningandofpursuingandavoiding，andisawordthepowerofdealingwiththethingsofsense。Andifthouneglectnotthis，butplaceallthatthouhasttherein，thoushaltneverbeletorhindered；thoushaltneverlament；thoushaltnotblameorflatterany。Whatthen？Seemththistotheealittlething？"——Godforbid!——"Becontentthentherewith!"
AndsoIpraytheGods。
VII
WhatsaithAntisthenes？Hastthouneverheard？——
Itisakinglything，OCyrus，todowellandtobeevilspokenof。
VIII
"Aye，buttodebasemyselfthuswereunworthyofme。"
"That，"saidEpictetus，"isforyoutoconsider，notforme。
Youknowyourselfwhatyouareworthinyourowneyes；andatwhatpriceyouwillsellyourself。Formensellthemselvesatvariousprices。Thiswaswhy，whenFloruswasdeliberatingwhetherheshouldappearatNero’sshows，takingpartintheperformancehimself，Agrippinusreplied，’Butwhydonotyouappear？’heanswered，’BecauseIdonotevenconsiderthequestion。’Forthemanwhohasoncestoopedtoconsidersuchquestions，andtoreckonupthevalueofexternalthings，isnotfarfromforgettingwhatmannerofmanheis。Why，whatisitthatyouaskme？Isdeathpreferable，orlife？Ireply，Life。
Painorpleasure？Ireply，Pleasure。"
"Well，butifIdonotact，Ishalllosemyhead。"
"Thengoandact!ButformypartIwillnotact。"
"Why？"
"Becauseyouthinkyourselfbutoneamongthemanythreadswhichmakeupthetextureofthedoublet。Youshouldaimatbeinglikemeningeneral——justasyourthreadhasnoambitioneithertobeanythingdistinguishedcomparedwiththeotherthreads。ButIdesiretobethepurple——thatsmallandshiningpartwhichmakestherestseemfairandbeautiful。Whythendoyoubidmebecomeevenasthemultitude？ThenwereInolongerthepurple。"
IX
Ifamancouldbethroughlypenetrated，asheought，withthisthought，thatweareallinanespecialmannersprungfromGod，andthatGodistheFatherofmenaswellasofGods，fullsurelyhewouldneverconceiveaughtignobleorbaseofhimself。
WhereasifCaesarweretoadoptyou，yourhaughtylookswouldbeintolerable；willyounotbeelatedatknowingthatyouarethesonofGod？Nowhoweveritisnotsowithus：butseeingthatinourbirththesetwothingsarecommingled——thebodywhichwesharewiththeanimals，andtheReasonandThoughtwhichwesharewiththeGods，manydeclinetowardsthisunhappykinshipwiththedead，fewrisetotheblessedkinshipwiththeDivine。Sincetheneveryonemustdealwitheachthingaccordingtotheviewwhichheformsaboutit，thosefewwhoholdthattheyarebornforfidelity，modesty，andunerringsurenessindealingwiththethingsofsense，neverconceiveaughtbaseorignobleofthemselves：butthemultitudethecontrary。Why，whatamI？——A
wretchedhumancreature；withthismiserablefleshofmine。
Miserableindeed!butyouhavesomethingbetterthanthatpaltryfleshofyours。Whythenclingtotheone，andneglecttheother？
X
Thouartbutapoorsoulladenwithalifelessbody。
XI
TheotherdayIhadanironlampplacedbesidemyhouseholdgods。Iheardanoiseatthedoorandonhasteningdownfoundmylampcarriedoff。Ireflectedthattheculpritwasinnoverystrangecase。"Tomorrow，myfriend，"Isaid，"youwillfindanearthenwarelamp；foramancanonlylosewhathehas。"
XII
ThereasonwhyIlostmylampwasthatthethiefwassuperiortomeinvigilance。Hepaidhoweverthispriceforthelamp，thatinexchangeforitheconsentedtobecomeathief：inexchangeforit，tobecomefaithless。
XIII
ButGodhathintroducedMantobeaspectatorofHimselfandofHisworks；andnotaspectatoronly，butalsoaninterpreterofthem。Whereforeitisashameformantobeginandtoleaveoffwherethebrutesdo。Ratherheshouldbeginthere，andleaveoffwhereNatureleavesoffinus：andthatisatcontemplation，andunderstanding，andamanneroflifethatisinharmonywithherself。
Seethenthatyedienotwithoutbeingspectatorsofthesethings。
XIV
YoujourneytoOlympiatoseetheworkofPhidias；andeachofyouholdsitamisfortunenottohavebeheldthesethingsbeforeyoudie。Whereaswhenthereisnoneedeventotakeajourney，butyouareonthespot，withtheworksbeforeyou，haveyounocaretocontemplateandstudythese？
Willyounotthenperceiveeitherwhoyouareoruntowhatendyouwereborn：orforwhatpurposethepowerofcontemplationhasbeenbestowedonyou？
"Well，butinlifetherearesomethingsdisagreeableandhardtobear。"
AndaretherenoneatOlympia？Areyounotscorchedbytheheat？Areyounotcrampedforroom？Haveyounottobathewithdiscomfort？Areyounotdrenchedwhenitrains？Haveyounottoenduretheclamorandshoutingandsuchannoyancesasthese？
Well，Isupposeyousetallthisoveragainstthesplendourofthespectacleandbearitpatiently。Whatthen？haveyounotreceivedgreatnessofheart，receivedcourage，receivedfortitude？WhatcareI，ifIamgreatofheart，foraughtthatcancometopass？Whatshallcastmedownordisturbme？Whatshallseempainful？ShallInotusethepowertotheendforwhichIreceivedit，insteadofmoaningandwailingoverwhatcomestopass？
XV
IfwhatphilosopherssayofthekinshipofGodandManbetrue，whatremainsformentodobutasSocratesdid：——never，whenaskedone’scountry，toanswer，"IamanAthenianoraCorinthian，"but"Iamacitizenoftheworld。"
XVI
HethathathgraspedtheadministrationoftheWorld，whohathlearnedthatthisCommunity，whichconsistsofGodandmen，istheforemostandmightiestandmostcomprehensiveofall：——
thatfromGodhavedescendedthegermsoflife，nottomyfatheronlyandfather’sfather，buttoallthingsthatarebornandgrowupontheearth，andinanespecialmannertothoseendowedwithReason（forthoseonlyarebytheirnaturefittedtoholdcommunionwithGod，beingbymeansofReasonconjoinedwithHim）
——whyshouldnotsuchanonecallhimselfacitizenoftheworld？
WhynotasonofGod？Whyshouldhefearaughtthatcomestopassamongmen？ShallkinshipwithCaesar，oranyotherofthegreatatRome，beenoughtohedgemenaroundwithsafetyandconsideration，withoutathoughtofapprehension：whiletohaveGodforourMaker，andFather，andKinsman，shallnotthissetusfreefromsorrowsandfears？
XVII
Idonotthinkthatanoldfellowlikemeneedhavebeensittingheretotryandpreventyourentertainingabjectnotionsofyourselves，andtalkingofyourselvesinanabjectandignobleway：buttopreventtherebeingbychanceamongyouanysuchyoungmenas，afterrecognisingtheirkindredtotheGods，andtheirbondageinthesechainsofthebodyanditsmanifoldnecessities，shoulddesiretocastthemoffasburdenstoogrievoustobeborne，anddeparttheirtruekindred。ThisisthestruggleinwhichyourMasterandTeacher，wereheworthyofthename，shouldbeengaged。Youwouldcometomeandsay：
"Epictetus，wecannolongerendurebeingchainedtothiswretchedbody，givingfoodanddrinkandrestandpurification：
aye，andforitssakeforcedtobesubservienttothismanandthat。Arethesenotthingsindifferentandnothingtous？Isitnottruethatdeathisnoevil？ArewenotinamannerkinsmenoftheGods，andhavewenotcomefromthem？Letusdepartthither，whencewecame：letusbefreedfromthesechainsthatconfineandpressusdown。Herearethievesandrobbersandtribunals：
andtheythatarecalledtyrants，whodeemthattheyhaveafterafashionpoweroverus，becauseofthemiserablebodyandwhatappertainstoit。Letusshowthemthattheyhavepowerovernone。"
XVIII
AndtothisIreply：——
"Friends，waitforGod。WhenHegivesthesignal，andreleasesyoufromthisservice，thendeparttoHim。Butforthepresent，enduretodwellintheplacewhereinHehathassignedyouyourpost。Shortindeedisthetimeofyourhabitationtherein，andeasytothosethatareminded。Whattyrant，whatrobber，whattribunalshaveanyterrorsforthosewhothusesteemthebodyandallthatbelongtoitasofnoaccount？Stay；departnotrashlyhence!"
XIX
Somethinglikethatiswhatshouldpassbetweenateacherandingenuousyouths。Asitis，whatdoespass？Theteacherisalifelessbody，andyouarelifelessbodiesyourselves。Whenyouhavehadenoughtoeattoday，yousitdownandweepabouttomorrow’sfood。Slave!ifyouhaveit，wellandgood；ifnot，youwilldepart：thedoorisopen——whylament？Whatfurtherroomistherefortears？Whatfurtheroccasionforflattery？Whyshouldoneenvyanother？Whyshouldyoustandinaweofthemthathavemuchorareplacedinpower，especiallyiftheybealsostrongandpassionate？Why，whatshouldtheydotous？Whattheycando，wewillnotregard：whatdoesconcernus，thattheycannotdo。Whothenshallruleonethatisthusminded？
XX
Seeingthisthen，andnotingwellthefacultieswhichyouhave，youshouldsay，——"Sendnow，OGod，anytrialthatThouwilt；lo，IhavemeansandpowersgivenmebyTheetoacquitmyselfwithhonourthroughwhatevercomestopass!"——No；butthereyousit，tremblingforfearcertainthingsshouldcometopass，andmoaningandgroaningandlamentingoverwhatdoescometopass。AndthenyouupbraidtheGods。Suchmeannessofspiritcanhavebutoneresult——impiety。
YetGodhasnotonlygivenusthesefacultiesbymeansofwhichwemaybeareverythingthatcomestopasswithoutbeingcurshedordepressedthereby；butlikeagoodKingandFather，Hehasgivenusthiswithoutletorhindrance，placedwhollyatourowndisposition，withoutreservingtoHimselfanypowerofimpedimentorrestraint。Thoughpossessingallthesethingsfreeandallyouown，youdonotusethem!youdonotperceivewhatitisyouhavereceivednorwhenceitcomes，butsitmoaningandgroaning；someofyoublindtotheGiver，makingnoacknowledgmenttoyourBenefactor；othersbaselygivingthemselvestocomplaintsandaccusationsagainstGod。
Yetwhatfacultiesandpowersyoupossessforattainingcourageandgreatnessofheart，Icaneasilyshowyou；whatyouhaveforupbraidingandaccusation，itisforyoutoshowme!
XXI
HowdidSocratesbearhimselfinthisregard？HowelsethanasbecameonewhowasfullyassuredthathewasthekinsmanofGods？
XXII
IfGodhadmadethatpartofHisownnaturewhichHeseveredfromHimselfandgavetous，liabletobehinderedorconstrainedeitherbyHimselforanyother，HewouldnothavebeenGod，norwouldHehavebeentakingcareofusasHeought……Ifyouchoose，youarefree；ifyouchoose，youneedblamenoman——
accusenoman。AllthingswillbeatonceaccordingtoyourmindandaccordingtotheMindofGod。
XXIII
Petrifactionisoftwosorts。Thereispetrifactionoftheunderstanding；andalsoofthesenseofshame。Thishappenswhenamanobstinatelyrefusestoacknowledgeplaintruths，andpersistsinmaintainingwhatisself—contradictory。Mostofusdreadmortificationofthebody，andwouldsparenopainstoescapeanythingofthatkind。Butofmortificationofthesoulweareutterlyheedless。Withregard，indeed，tothesoul，ifamanisinsuchastateastobeincapableoffollowingorunderstandinganything，Igrantyouwedothinkhiminabadway。
Butmortificationofthesenseofshameandmodestywegosofarastodubstrengthofmind!
XXIV
IfwewereasintentuponourbusinessastheoldfellowsatRomeareuponwhatintereststhem，wetoomightperhapsaccomplishsomething。IknowamanolderthanIam，nowSuperintendentoftheCorn—marketatRome，andIrememberwhenhepassedthroughthisplaceonhiswaybackfromexile，whatanaccounthegavemeofhisformerlife，declaringthatforthefuture，oncehomeagain，hisonlycareshouldbetopasshisremainingyearsinquietandtranquility。"ForhowfewyearshaveIleft!"hecried。"That，"Isaid，"youwillnotdo；butthemomentthescentofRomeisinyournostrils，youwillforgetitall；andifyoucanbutgainadmissiontoCourt，youwillbegladenoughtoelbowyourwayin，andthankGodforit。""Epictetus，"
hereplied，"ifeveryoufindmesettingasmuchasonefootwithintheCourt，thinkwhatyouwillofme。"
Well，asitwas，whatdidhedo？Ereeverheenteredthecity，hewasmetbyadespatchfromtheEmperor。Hetookit，andforgotthewholeofhisresolutions。Fromthatmoment，hehasbeenpilingonethinguponanother。Ishouldliketobebesidehimtoremindhimofwhathesaidwhenpassingthisway，andtoadd，HowmuchbetteraprophetIamthanyou!
Whatthen？doIsaymanisnotmadeforanactivelife？Farfromit!……Butthereisagreatdifferencebetweenothermen’soccupationsandours……Aglanceattheirswillmakeitcleartoyou。Alldaylongtheydonothingbutcalculate，contrive，consulthowtowringtheirprofitoutoffood—stuffs，farm—plotsandthelike……Whereas，IentreatyoutolearnwhattheadministrationoftheWorldis，andwhatplaceaBeingendowedwithreasonholdstherein：toconsiderwhatyouareyourself，andwhereinyourGoodandEvilconsists。
XXV
AmanaskedmetowritetoRomeonhisbehalfwho，asmostpeoplethought，hadmetwithmisfortune；forhavingbeenbeforewealthyanddistinguished，hehadafterwardslostallandwaslivinghere。SoIwroteabouthiminahumblestyle。Hehoweveronreadingtheletterreturnedittome，withthewords："Iaskedforyourhelp，notforyourpity。Noevilhashappeneduntome。"
XXVI
Trueinstructionisthis：——tolearntowishthateachthingshouldcometopassasitdoes。Andhowdoesitcometopass？AstheDisposerhasdisposedit。NowHehasdisposedthatthereshouldbesummerandwinter，andplentyanddearth，andviceandvirtue，andallsuchopposites，fortheharmonyofthewhole。
XXVII
Havethisthoughteverpresentwiththee，whenthoulosestanyoutwardthing，whatthougainestinitsstead；andifthisbethemoreprecious，saynot，Ihavesufferedloss。
XXVIII
ConcerningtheGods，therearewhodenytheveryexistenceoftheGodhead；otherssaythatitexists，butneitherbestirsnorconcernsitselfnorhasforethoughtforanything。Athirdpartyattributetoitexistenceandforethought，butonlyforgreatandheavenlymatters，notforanythingthatisonearth。A
fourthpartyadmitthingsonearthaswellasinheaven，butonlyingeneral，andnotwithrespecttoeachindividual。Afifth，ofwhomwereUlyssesandSocratesarethosethatcry：——
ImovenotwithoutThyknowledge!
XXIX
Consideringallthesethings，thegoodandtruemansubmitshisjudgementtoHimthatadministerstheUniverse，evenasgoodcitizenstothelawoftheState。Andhethatisbeinginstructedshouldcomethusminded：——HowmayIinallthingsfollowtheGods；and，HowmayIrestsatisfiedwiththeDivineAdministration；and，HowmayIbecomefree？Forheisfreeforwhomallthingscometopassaccordingtohiswill，andwhomnonecanhinder。Whatthen，isfreedommadness？Godforbid。Formadnessandfreedomexistnottogether。
"ButIwishallthatIdesiretocometopassandinthemannerthatIdesire。"
——Youaremad，youarebesideyourself。KnowyounotthatFreedomisagloriousthingandofgreatworth？ButthatwhatI
desiredatrandomIshouldwishatrandomtocometopass，sofarfrombeingnoble，maywellbeexceedingbase。
XXX
Youmustknowthatitisnoeasythingforaprincipletobecomeaman’sown，unlesseachdayhemaintainitandhearitmaintained，aswellasworkitoutinlife。
XXXI
Youmustknowthatitisnoeasythingforaprincipletobecomeaman’sown，unlesseachdayhemaintainitandhearitmaintained，aswellasworkitoutinlife。
XXXII
Whatthenisthechastisementofthosewhoacceptitnot？Tobeastheyare。Isanydiscontentedwithbeingalone？lethimbeinsolitude。Isanydiscontentedwithhisparents？lethimbeabadson，andlament。Isanydiscontentedwithhischildren？lethimbeabadfather。——"Throwhimintoprision!"——Whatprision？——
Whereheisalready：forheisthereagainsthiswill；andwhereveramanisagainsthiswill，thattohimisaprision。
ThusSocrateswasnotinprision，sincehewastherewithhisownconsent。
XXXIII
KnowestthouwhataspeckthouartincomparisonwiththeUniverse？———Thatis，withrespecttothebody；sincewithrespecttoReason，thouartnotinferiortotheGods，norlessthanthey。
ForthegreatnessofReasonisnotmeasuredbylengthorheight，butbytheresolvesofthemind。PlacethenthyhappinessinthatwhereinthouartequaltotheGods。
XXXIV
AskedhowamanmighteatacceptablytotheGods，Epictetusreplied：——Ifwhenheeats，hecanbejust，cheerful，equable，temperate，andorderly，canhenotthuseatacceptablytotheGods？Butwhenyoucallforwarmwater，andyourslavedoesnotanswer，orwhenheanswersbringsitlukewarm，orisnotevenfoundtobeinthehouseatall，thennottobevexednorburstwithanger，isnotthatacceptabletotheGods？
"Buthowcanoneenduresuchpeople？"
Slave，willyounotendureyourownbrother，thathasGodtohisforefather，evenasasonsprungfromthesamestock，andofthesamehighdescentasyourself？Andifyouarestationedinahighposition，areyouthereforforthwithsetupforatyrant？
Rememberwhoyouare，andwhomyourule，thattheyarebynatureyourkinsmen，yourbrothers，theoffspringofGod。
"ButIpaidapriceforthem，nottheyforme。"
Doyouseewhitheryouarelooking——downtotheearth，tothepit，tothosedespicablelawsofthedead？ButtothelawsoftheGodsyoudonotlook。
XXXV
Whenweareinvitedtoabanquet，wetakewhatissetbeforeus；andwereonetocalluponhishosttosetfishuponthetableorsweetthings，hewouldbedeemedabsurd。Yetinaword，weasktheGodsforwhattheydonotgive；andthat，althoughtheyhavegivenussomanythings!
XXXVI
AskedhowamanmightconvincehimselfthateverysingleactofhiswasundertheeyeofGod，Epictetusanswered：——
"Doyounotholdthatthingsonearthandthingsinheavenarecontinuousandinunisonwitheachother？"
"Ido，"wasthereply。
"Elsehowshouldthetreessoregularly，asthoughbyGod’scommand，atHisbiddingflower；atHisbiddingsendforthshoots，bearfruitandripenit；atHisbiddingletitfallandshedtheirleaves，andfoldedupuponthemselveslieinquietnessandrest？Howelse，astheMoonwaxesandwanes，astheSunapproachesandrecedes，canitbethatsuchvicissitudeandalternationisseeninearthlythings？
"Ifthenallthingsthatgrow，nay，ourownbodies，arethusboundupwiththewhole，isnotthisstilltruerofoursouls？
AndifoursoulsareboundupandincontactwithGod，asbeingverypartsandfragmentspluckedfromHimself，shallHenotfeeleverymovementoftheirsasthoughitwereHisown，andbelongingtoHisownnature？"
XXXVII
"But，"yousay，"Icannotcomprehendallthisatonce。"
"Why，whotoldyouthatyourpowerswereequaltoGod’s？"
YetGodhathplacedbythesideofeachaman’sownGuardianSpirit，whoischargedtowatchoverhim——aGuardianwhosleepsnotnorisdeceived。FortowhatbetterormorewatchfulGuardiancouldHehavecommittedwachofus？Sowhenyouhaveshutthedoorsandmadeadarknesswithin，remembernevertosaythatyouarealone；foryouarenotalone，butGodiswithin，andyourGuardianSpirit，andwhatlightdotheyneedtobeholdwhatyoudo？TothisGodyoualsoshouldhaveswornallegiance，evenassolidersuntoCaesar。They，whentheirserviceishired，sweartoholdthelifeofCaesardearerthanallelse：andwillyounotswearyouroath，thataredeemedworthyofsomanyandgreatgifts？Andwillyounotkeepyouroathwhenyouhaveswornit？
Andwhatoathwillyouswear？Nevertodisobey，nevertoarraignormurmurataughtthatcomestoyoufromHishand：neverunwillinglytodoorsufferaughtthatnecessitylaysuponyou。
"Isthisoathliketheirs？"
TheysweartoholdnootherdearerthanCaesar：you，toholdourtrueselvesdearerthanallelsebeside。
XXXVIII
"Howshallmybrotherceasetobewrothwithme？"
Bringhimtome，andIwilltellhim。ButtotheeIhavenothingtosayabouthisanger。
XXXIX
WhenonetookcounselofEpictetus，saying，"WhatIseekisthis，howeventhoughmybrotherbenotreconciledtome，ImaystillremainasNaturewouldhavemetobe，"hereplied："Allgreatthingsareslowofgrowth；nay，thisistrueevenofagrapeorofafig。Ifthenyousaytomenow，Idesireafig，I
shallanswer，Itneedstime：waittillitfirstflower，thencastitsblossom，thenripen。Whereasthenthefruitofthefig—treereachesnotmaturitysuddenlynoryetinasinglehour，doyouneverthelessdesiresoquickly，andeasilytoreapthefruitofthemindofman？——Nay，expectitnot，eventhoughIbadeyou!"
XL
Epaphroditushadashoemakerwhomhesoldasbeinggood—for—nothing。
Thisfellow，bysomeaccident，wasafterwardspurchasedbyoneofCaesar’smen，andbecameashoemakertoCaesar。YoushouldhaveseenwhatrespectEpaphrodituspaidhimthen。"HowdoesthegoodFelicion？Kindlyletmeknow!"Andifanyofusinquired，"WhatisEpaphroditusdoing？"theanswerwas，"HeisconsultingaboutsoandsowithFelicion。"——Hadhenotsoldhimasgood—for—nothing？Whohadinatriceconvertedhimintoawiseacre？
ThisiswhatcomesofholdingofimportanceanythingbutthethingsthatdependontheWill。
XLI
Whatyoushunenduringyourself，attemptnottoimposeonothers。Youshunslavery——bewareofenslavingothers!Ifyoucanenduretodothat，onewouldthingyouhadbeenonceuponatimeaslaveyourself。ForVicehasnothingincommonwithvirtue，norFreedomwithslavery。
XLII
Hasamanbeenraisedtotribuneship？Everyonethathemeetscongratulateshim。Onekisseshimontheeyes，anotherontheneck，whiletheslaveskisshishands。Hegoeshometofindtorchesburning；heascendstotheCapitoltosacrifice。——Whoeversacrificedforhavinghadrightdesires；forhavingconceivedsuchinclinationsasNaturewouldhavehim？IntruthwethanktheGodsforthatwhereinweplaceourhappiness。
XLIII
Amanwastalkingtometo—dayaboutthepriesthoodofAugustus。Isaidtohim，"Letthethinggo，mygoodSir；youwillspendagooddealtonopurpose。"
"Well，butmynamewillbeinsertedinalldocumentsandcontracts。"
"Willyoubestandingtheretotellthosethatreadthem，Thatismynamewrittenthere？Andevenifyoucouldnowbethereineverycase，whatwillyoudowhenyouaredead？"
"Atalleventsmynamewillremain。"
"Inscribeitonastoneanditwillremainjustaswell。Andthink，beyondNicopoliswhatmemoryofyouwilltherebe？"
"ButIshallhaveagoldenwreathtowear。"
"Ifyoumusthaveawreath，getawreathofrosesandputiton；youwilllookmoreelegant!"
XLIV
Aboveall，rememberthatthedoorstandsopen。Benotmorefearfulthanchildren；butasthey，whentheywearyofthegame，cry，"Iwillplaynomore，"evenso，whenthouartinthelikecase，cry，"Iwillplaynomore"anddepart。Butifthoustayest，makenolamentation。
XLV
Istheresmokeintheroom？Ifitbeslight，Iremain；ifgrievous，Iquitit。Foryoumustrememberthisandholditfast，thatthedoorstandsopen。
"YoushallnotdwellatNicopolis!"
Wellandgood。
"NoratAthens。"
ThenIwillnotdwellatAthenseither。
"NoratRome。"
NoratRomeeither。
"YoushalldwellinGyara!"
Well：buttodwellinGyaraseemstomelikeagrievoussmoke；Ideparttoaplacewherenonecanforbidmetodwell：
thathabitationisopenuntoall!Asforthelastgarmentofall，thatisthepoorbody；beyondthat，nonecandoaughtuntome。
ThiswhyDemetriussaidtoNero："Youthreatenmewithdeath；itisNaturewhothreatensyou!"
XLVI
Thebeginningofphilosophyistoknowtheconditionofone’sownmind。Ifamanrecognisesthatthisisinaweaklystate，hewillnotthenwanttoapplyittoquestionsofthegreatestmoment。Asitis，menwhoarenotfittoswallowevenamorsel，buywholetreatisesandtrytodevourthem。Accordinglytheyeithervomitthemupagain，orsufferfromindigestion，whencecomegripings，fluxions，andfevers。Whereastheyshouldhavestoppedtoconsidertheircapacity。
XLVII
Intheoryitiseasytoconvinceanignorantperson：inactuallife，mennotonlyobjecttoofferthemselvestobeconvinced，buthatethemanwhohasconvincedthem。WhereasSocratesusedtosaythatweshouldneverleadalifenotsubjectedtoexamination。
XLVIII
ThisisthereasonwhySocrates，whenremindedthatheshouldprepareforhistrial，answered："ThinkestthounotthatI
havebeenpreparingforitallmylife？"
"Inwhatway？"
"Ihavemaintainedthatwhichinmelay/"
"Howso？"
"Ihavenever，secretlyoropenly，doneawronguntoany。"
XLIX
Inwhatcharacterdostthounowcomeforward？
AsawitnesssummonedbyGod。"Comethou，"saithGod，"andtestifyforme，forthouartworthyofbeingbroughtforwardasawitnessbyMe。Isaughtthatisoutsidethywilleithergoodorbad？DoIhurtanyman？HaveIplacedthegoodofeachinthepowerofanyotherthanhimself？WhatwitnessdostthoubeartoGod？"
"Iaminevilstate，Master，Iamundone!Nonecarethforme，nonegivethmeaught：allmenblame，allspeakevilofme。"
Isthisthewitnessthouwiltbear，anddodishonourtothecallingwherewithHehathcalledthee，becauseHehathdonetheesogreathonour，anddeemedtheeworthyofbeingsummonedtobearwitnessinsogreatacause？
L
Wouldstthouhavemenspeakgoodofthee？speakgoodofthem。Andwhenthouhastlearnedtospeakgoodofthem，trytodogooduntothem，andthusthouwiltreapinreturntheirspeakinggoodofthee。
LI
Whenthougoestintoanyofthegreat，rememberthatAnotherfromaboveseeswhatispassing，andthatthoushouldstpleaseHimratherthanman。Hethereforeasksthee：——
"IntheSchools，whatdidstthoucallexile，imprisionment，bonds，deathandshame？"
"Icalledthemthingsindifferent。"
"Whatthendostthoucallthemnow？Aretheyatallchanged？"
"No。"
"Isitthenthouthatartchanged？"
"No。"
"Saythen，whatarethingsindifferent？"
"Thingsthatarenotinourpower。"
"Saythen，whatfollows？"
"Thatthingswhicharenotinourpowerarenothingtome。"
"Sayalsowhatthingsyouholdtobegood。"
"Awillsuchasitoughttobe，andarightuseofthethingsofsense。"
"Andwhatistheend？"
"TofollowThee!"
LII
"ThatSocratesshouldeverhavebeensotreatedbytheAthenians!"
Slave!whysay"Socrates"？Speakofthethingasitis：ThateverthenthepoorbodyofSocratesshouldhavebeendraggedawayandhaledbymainforcetoprision!ThateverhemlockshouldhavebeengiventothebodyofSocrates；thatthatshouldhavebreatheditslifeaway!——Doyoumarvelatthis？Doyouholdthisunjust？IsitforthisthatyouaccuseGod？HadSocratesnocompensationforthis？WherethenforhimwastheidealGood？
Whomshallwehearkento，youorhim？Andwhatsayshe？
"AnytusandMelitusmayputmetodeath：toinjuremeisbeyondtheirpower。"
Andagain：——
"IfsuchbethewillofGod，soletitbe。"
LIII
Nay，youngman，forheaven’ssake；butoncethouhastheardthesewords，gohomeandsaytothyself：——"ItisnotEpictetusthathastoldmethesethings：howindeedshouldhe？No，itissomegraciousGodthroughhim。Elseitwouldneverhaveenteredhisheadtotellmethem——hethatisnotusedtospeaktoanyonethus。Well，then，letusnotlieunderthewrathofGod，butbeobedientuntoHim。"———Nay，indeed；butifaravenbyitscroakingbearstheeanysign，itisnottheravenbutGodthatsendsthesignthroughtheraven；andifHesignifiesanythingtotheethroughhumanvoice，willHenotcausethemantosaythesewordstothee，thatthoumayestknowthepoweroftheDivine——
howHesendsasigntosomeinonewayandtoothersinanother，andonthegreatestandhighestmattersofallsignifiesHiswillthroughthenoblestmessenger？
Whatelsedoesthepoetmean：——
IspakeuntohimerstMyself，andsentHermestheshiningOne，tocheckandwarnhim，Thehusbandnottoslay，norwoothewife!
LIV
InthesamewaymyfriendHeraclitus，whohadatriflingsuitaboutapettyfarmatRhodes，firstshowedthejudgesthathiscausewasjust，andthenatthefinishcried，"Iwillnotentreatyou：nordoIcarewhatsentenceyoupass。Itisyouwhoareonyourtrial，notI!"——Andsoheendedthecase。
LV
Asforus，webehavelikeaherdofdeer。Whentheyfleefromthehuntsman’sfeathersinaffright，whichwaydotheyturn？Whathavenofsafetydotheymakefor？Why，theyrushuponthenets!Andthustheyperishbyconfoundingwhattheyshouldfearwiththatwhereinnodangerlies……Notdeathorpainistobefeared，butthefearofdeathorpain。Wellsaidthepoettherefore：——
Deathhasnoterror；onlyaDeathofshame!
LVI
Howisitthenthatcertainexternalthingsaresaidtobenatural，andothercontrarytoNature？
Why，justasitmightbesaidifwestoodaloneandapartfromothers。Afoot，forinstance，Iwillallowitisnaturalshouldbeclean。Butifyoutakeitasafoot，andasathingwhichdoesnotstandbyitself，itwillbeseemit（ifneedbe）towalkinthemud，totreadonthorns，andsometimeseventobecutoff，forthebenefitofthewholebody；elseitisnolongerafoot。Insomesuchwayweshouldconceiveofourselvesalso。Whatartthou？——Aman。——Lookedatasstandingbythyselfandseparate，itisnaturalfortheeinhealthandwealthlongtolive。ButlookedatasaMan，andonlyasapartofaWhole，itisforthatWhole’ssakethatthoushouldestatonetimefallsick，atanotherbravetheperilsofthesea，again，knowthemeaningofwantandperhapsdieanearlydeath。Whythenrepine？
Knowestthounotthatasthefootisnomoreafootifdetachedfromthebody，sothouinlikecaseartnolongeraMan？ForwhatisaMan？ApartofaCity：——firstoftheCityofGodsandMen；
next，ofthatwhichranksnearestit，aminatureoftheuniversalCity……Insuchabody，insuchaworldenvelopingus，amongliveslikethese，suchthingsmusthappentooneoranother。Thypart，then，beinghere，istospeakofthesethingsasismeet，andtoorderthemasbefitsthematter。
LVII
ThatwasagoodreplywhichDiogenesmadetoamanwhoaskedhimforlettersofrecommendation。——"Thatyouareaman，hewillknowwhenheseesyou；——whetheragoodorbadone，hewillknowifhehasanyskillindiscerningthegoodorbad。Butifhehasnone，hewillneverknow，thoughIwritehimathousandtimes。"——
Itisasthoughapieceofsilvermoneydesiredtoberecommendedtosomeonetobetested。Ifthemanbeagoodjudgeofsilver，hewillknow：thecoinwilltellitsowntale。
LVIII
Evenasthetravelleraskshiswayofhimthathemeets，inclinedinnowisetobeartotherightratherthantotheleft（forhedesiresonlythewayleadingwhitherhewouldgo），soshouldwecomeuntoGodastoaguide；evenasweuseoureyeswithoutadmonishingthemtoshowussomethingsratherthanothers，butcontenttoreceivetheimagesofsuchthingsastheypresenttous。Butasitiswestandanxiouslywatchingthevictim，andwiththevoiceofsupplicationcallupontheaugur：——
"Master，havemercyonme：vouchsafeuntomeawayofescape!"
Slave，wouldyouthenhaveaughtelsethenwhatisbest？isthereanythingbetterthanwhatisGod’sgoodpleasure？Why，asfarasinyoulies，wouldyoucorruptyourJudge，andleadyourCounsellorastray？
LIX
Godisbeneficent。ButtheGoodalsoisbeneficent。ItshouldseemthenthatwheretherealnatureofGodis，theretooistobefoundtherealnatureoftheGood。WhatthenistherealnatureofGod？——Intelligence，Knowledge，RightReason。HerethenwithoutmoreadoseektherealnatureoftheGood。Forsurelythoudostnotseekitinaplantorinananimalthatreasonethnot。
LX
SeekthentherealnatureoftheGoodinthatwithoutwhosepresencethouwiltnotadmittheGoodtoexistinaughtelse。——
Whatthen？ArenottheseotherthingsalsoworksofGod？——Theyare；butnotpreferredtohonour，noraretheyportionsofGod。
Butthouartathingpreferredtohonour：thouartthyselfafragmenttornfromGod：——thouhastaportionofHimwithinthyself。Howisitthenthatthoudostnotknowthyhighdescent——dostnotknowwhencethoucomest？Whenthoueatest，wiltthounotrememberwhothouartthateatestandwhomthoufeedest？Inintercourse，inexercise，indiscussionknowestthounotthatitisaGodwhomthoufeedest，aGodwhomthouexercisest，aGodwhomthoubearestaboutwiththee，Omiserable!andthouperceivestitnot。ThinkestthouthatIspeakofaGodofsilverorgold，thatiswithoutthee？Nay，thoubearestHimwithinthee!
allunconciousofpollutingHimwiththoughtsimpureanduncleandeeds。WereanimageofGodpresent，thouwouldestnotdaretoactasthoudost，yet，whenGodHimselfispresentwithinthee，beholdingandhearingall，thoudostnotblushtothinksuchthoughtsanddosuchdeeds，OthouthatartinsensibleofthineownnatureandliestunderthewrathofGod!
LXI
WhythenareweafraidwhenwesendayoungmanfromtheSchoolsintoactivelife，lestheshouldindulgehisappetitesintemperately，lestheshoulddebasehimselfbyraggedclothing，orbepuffedupbyfineraiment？KnowshenottheGodwithinhim；
knowshenotwithwhomheisstartingonhisway？Havewepatiencetohearhimsaytous，WouldIhadtheewithme!——HastthounotGodwherethouart，andhavingHimdostthoustillseekforanyother!WouldHetelltheeaughtelsethanthesethings？
Why，wertthouastatueofPhidias，anAthenaoraZeus，thouwouldstbethinktheebothofthyselfandthineartificer；andhadstthouanysense，thouwouldststrivetodonodishonourtothyselforhimthatfashionedthee，norappeartobeholdersinunbefittingguise。Butnow，becauseGodisthyMaker，isthatwhythoucarestnotofwhatsortthoushaltshowthyselftobe？Yethowdifferenttheartistsandtheirworkmanship!Whathumanartist’swork，forexample，hasinitthefacultiesthataredisplayedinfashioningit？Isitaughtbutmarble，bronze，gold，orivory？Nay，whentheAthenaofPhidiashasputforthherhandandreceivedthereinaVictory，inthatattitudeshestandsforevermore。ButGod’sworksmoveandbreathe；theyuseandjudgethethingsofsense。TheworkmanshipofsuchanArtist，wiltthoudishonorHim？Ay，whenhenotonlyfashionedthee，butplacedthee，likeaward，inthecareandguardianshipofthyselfalone，wiltthounotonlyforgetthis，butalsododishonourtowhatiscommittedtothycare!IfGodhadentrustedtheewithanorphan，wouldstthouhavethusneglectedhim？Hehathdeliveredtheetothineowncare，saying，Ihadnonemorefaithfulthanmyself：
keepthismanformesuchasNaturehathmadehim——modest，faithful，high—minded，astrangertofear，topassion，toperturbation……
SuchwillIshowmyselftoyouall。——"What，exemptfromsicknessalso：fromage，fromdeath？"——Nay，butacceptingsickness，acceptingdeathasbecomesaGod!
LXII
Nolabour，accordingtoDiogenes，isgoodbutthatwhichaimsatproducingcourageandstrengthofsoulratherthanofbody。
LXIII
Aguide，onfindingamanwhohaslosthisway，bringshimbacktotherightpath——hedoesnotmockandjeerathimandthentakehimselfoff。Youalsomustshowtheunlearnedmanthetruth，andyouwillseethathewillfollow。Butsolongasyoudonotshowithim，youshouldnotmock，butratherfeelyourownincapacity。
LXIV
ItwasthefirstandmoststrikingcharacteristicofSocratesnevertobecomeheatedindiscourse，nevertoutteraninjuriousorinsultingword——onthecontrary，hepersistentlyboreinsultfromothersandthusputanendtothefray。Ifyoucaretoknowtheextentofhispowerinthisdirection，readXenophon’sBanquet，andyouwillseehowmanyquarrelsheputanendto。ThisiswhythePoetsarerightinsohighlycommendingthisfaculty：——
Quicklyandwiselywithalevenbitterfeudswouldhesettle。
Neverthelessthepracticeisnotverysafeatpresent，especiallyinRome。Onewhoadoptsit，Ineednotsay，oughtnottocarryitoutinanobscurecorner，butboldlyaccost，ifoccasionserve，somepersonageofrankorwealth。
"Canyoutellme，sir，towhosecareyouentrustyourhorses？"
"Ican。"
"Isittothefirstcorner，whoknowsnothingaboutthem？"
"Certainlynot。"
"Well，whatofthemanwhotakescareofyourgold，yoursilveroryourraiment？"
"Hemustbeexperiencedalso。"
"Andyourbody——haveyoueverconsideredaboutentrustingittoanyone’scare？"
"OfcourseIhave。"
"Andnodoubttoapersonofexperienceasatrainer，aphysician？"
"Surely。"
"Andthesethingsthebestyoupossess，orhaveyouanythingmoreprecious？"
"Whatcanyoumean？"
"Imeanthatwhichemploysthese；whichweightsallthings；
whichtakescounselandresolve。"
"Oh，youmeanthesoul。"
"Youtakemerightly；Idomeanthesoul。ByHeaven，IholdthatfarmorepreciousthanallelseIpossess。Canyoushowmethenwhatcareyoubestowonasoul？Foritcanscarcelybethoughtthatamanofyourwisdomandconsiderationinthecitywouldsufferyourmostpreciouspossessiontogotoruinthroughcarelessnessandneglect。"
"Certainlynot。"
"Well，doyoutakecareofityourself？Didanyoneteachyoutherightmethod，ordidyoudiscoverityourself？"
Nowherecomesinthedanger：first，thatthegreatmanmayanswer，"Why，whatisthattoyou，mygoodfellow？areyoumymaster？"Andthen，ifyoupersistintroublinghim，mayraisehishandtostrikeyou。ItisapracticeofwhichIwasmyselfawarmadmireruntilsuchexperiencesasthesebefellme。
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