XL

Epaphroditus had a shoemaker whom he sold as being good-for-nothing.
This fellow, by some accident, was afterwards purchased by one of
Cæsar's men, and became a shoemaker to Cæsar. You should have seen
what respect Epaphroditus paid him then. "How does the good Felicion?
Kindly let me know!" And if any of us inquired, "What is Epaphroditus
doing?" the answer was, "He is consulting about so and so with
Felicion."--Had he not sold him as good-for-nothing? Who had in a trice
converted him into a wiseacre?

This is what comes of holding of importance anything but the things that
depend on the Will.




XLI

What you shun enduring yourself, attempt not to impose on others. You
shun slavery--beware of enslaving others! If you can endure to do that,
one would thing you had been once upon a time a slave yourself. For Vice
has nothing in common with virtue, nor Freedom with slavery.




XLII

Has a man been raised to tribuneship? Every one that he meets