A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion by Epictetus
page 67 of 179 (37%)
page 67 of 179 (37%)
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form a judgment on things which do not exist, the more hellebore they
require. Will you not act like a sick man and call in the physician?--I am sick, master, help me; consider what I must do: it is my duty to obey you. So it is here also: I know not what I ought to do, but I am come to learn.--Not so; but speak to me about other things: upon this I have determined.--What other things? for what is greater and more useful than for you to be persuaded that it is not sufficient to have made your determination and not to change it. This is the tone (energy) of madness, not of health.--I will die, if you compel me to this.--Why, man? What has happened?--I have determined--I have had a lucky escape that you have not determined to kill me--I take no money. Why?--I have determined--Be assured that with the very tone (energy) which you now use in refusing to take, there is nothing to hinder you at some time from inclining without reason to take money, and then saying, I have determined. As in a distempered body, subject to defluxions, the humor inclines sometimes to these parts, and then to those, so too a sickly soul knows not which way to incline; but if to this inclination and movement there is added a tone (obstinate resolution), then the evil becomes past help and cure. * * * * * THAT WE DO NOT STRIVE TO USE OUR OPINIONS ABOUT GOOD AND EVIL.--Where is the good? In the will. Where is the evil? In the will. Where is neither of them? In those things which are independent of the will. Well then? Does any one among us think of these lessons out of the schools? Does any one meditate (strive) by himself to give an answer to things as in the case of questions?--Is it day?--Yes.--Is it night?--No.--Well, is the number of stars even?--I cannot say.--When money is shown (offered) to you, have you studied to make the proper answer, that money is not a |
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