CXLII
Ponderonthis——ontheseconvictions，onthesewords：fixthineeyesontheseexamples，ifthouwouldstbefree，ifthouhastthineheartsetuponthematteraccordingtoitsworth。Andwhatmarvelifthoupurchasesogreatathingatsogreatandhighaprice？Forthesakeofthisthatmendeemliberty，somehangthemselves，otherscastthemselvesdownfromtherock；aye，timehasbeenwhenwholecitiescameutterlytoanend：whileforthesakeofFreedomthatistrue，andsure，andunassailable，dostthougrudgetoGodwhatHegave，whenHeclaimsit？Wiltthounotstudy，asPlatosaith，toendure，notdeathalone，buttorture，exile，stripes——inaword，torenderupallthatisnotthineown？Elsethouwiltbeaslaveamidslaves，wertthoutenthousandtimesaconsul；aye，notawhittheless，thoughthouclimbthePalacesteps。AndthoushaltknowhowtruethesayingofCleanthes，thatthoughthewordsofphilosophersmayruncountertotheopinionsoftheworld，yethavetheyreasonontheirside。
CXLII
Askedhowamanshouldbestgrievehisenemy，Epictetusreplied，\"Bysettinghimselftolivethenoblestlifehimself。\"
CXLIV
Iamfree，IamafriendofGod，readytorenderHimwillingobedience。OfallelseImaysetstorebynothing——neitherbymineownbody，norpossessions，noroffice，norgoodreport，nor，inaword，aughtelsebeside。ForitisnotHisWill，thatI
shouldsosetstorebythesethings。HaditbeenHispleasure，HewouldhaveplacedmyGoodtherein。ButnowHehathnotdoneso：
thereforeIcannottransgressonejotofHiscommands。IneverythingholdfasttothatwhichisthyGood——buttoallelse（asfarasisgiventhee）withinthemeasureofReasononly，contentedwiththisalone。Elsethouwiltmeetwithfailure，illsuccess，letandhindrance。ThesearetheLawsordainedofGod——
theseareHisEdicts；theseamanshouldexpoundandinterpret；
tothesesubmithimself，nottothelawsofMasuriusandCassius。
CXLV
Rememberthatnottheloveofpowerandwealthsetsusundertheheelofothers，buteventheloveoftranquillity，ofleisure，ofchangeofscene——oflearningingeneral，itmattersnotwhattheoutwardthingmaybe——tosetstorebyitistoplacethyselfinsubjectiontoanother。WhereisthedifferencethenbetweendesiringtobeaSenator，anddesiringnottobeone：
betweenthirstingforofficeandthirstingtobequitofit？
Whereisthedifferencebetweencrying，Woeisme，Iknownotwhattodo，boundhandandfootasIamtomybookssothatI
cannotstir!andcrying，Woeisme，Ihavenottimetoread!Asthoughabookwerenotasmuchanoutwardthingandindependentofthewill，asofficeandpowerandthereceptionsofthegreat。
Orwhatreasonhastthou（tellme）fordesiringtoread？Forifthouaimatnothingbeyondthemeredelightofit，orgainingsomescrapofknowledge，thouartbutapoor，spiritlessknave。
Butifthoudesiresttostudytoitsproperend，whatelseisthisthanalifethatflowsontranquilandserene？Andifthyreadingsecurestheenotserenity，whatprofitsit？——\"Nay，butitdothsecureit，\"quothhe，\"andthatiswhyIrepineatbeingdeprivedofit。\"——Andwhatserenityisthisthatliesatthemercyofeverypasser—by？IsaynotatthemercyoftheEmperororEmperor’sfavorite，butsuchastremblesataraven’scroakandpiper’sdin，afever’stouchorathousandthingsoflikesort!Whereasthelifeserenehasnomorecertainmarkthanthis，thatitevermoveswithconstantunimpededflow。
CXLVI
Ifthouhastputmaliceandevilspeakingfromthee，altogether，orinsomedegree：ifthouhastputawayfromtheerashness，foulnessoftongue，intemperance，sluggishness：ifthouartnotmovedbywhatoncemovedthee，orinlikemannerasthouoncewertmoved——thenthoumayestcelebrateadailyfestival，to—daybecausethouhastdonewellinthismanner，to—morrowinthat。Howmuchgreatercauseishereforofferingsacrifice，thanifamanshouldbecomeConsulorPrefect？
CXLVII
ThesethingshastthoufromthyselfandfromtheGods：onlyrememberwhoitisthatgiveththem——towhomandforwhatpurposetheyweregiven。Feedingthysoulonthoughtslikethese，dostthoudebateinwhatplacehappinessawaitsthee？inwhatplacethoushaltdoGod’spleasure？ArenottheGodsnighuntoallplacesalike；seetheynotalikewhateverywherecomestopass？
CXLVIII
ToeachmanGodhathgrantedthisinwardfreedom。Thesearetheprinciplesthatinahousecreatelove，inacityconcord，amongnationspeace，teachingamangratitudetowardsGodandcheerfulconfidence，whereverhemaybe，indealingwithoutwardthingsthatheknowsareneitherhisnorworthstrivingafter。
CXLIX
IfyouseekTruth，youwillnotseektogainavictorybyeverypossiblemeans；andwhenyouhavefoundTruth，youneednotfearbeingdefeated。
CL
Whatfoolishtalkisthis？howcanIanylongerlayclaimtorightprinciples，ifIamnotcontentwithbeingwhatIam，butamallaflutteraboutwhatIamsupposedtobe？
CLI
Godhathmadeallthingsintheworld，nay，theworlditself，freefromhindranceandperfect，anditspartsfortheuseofthewhole。NotothercreatureiscapableofcomprehendingHisadministrationthereof；butthereasonablebeingManpossessesfacultiesfortheconsiderationofallthesethings——
notonlythatheishimselfapart，butwhatpartheis，andhowitismeetthatthepartsshouldgiveplacetothewhole。Noristhisall。Beingnaturallyconstitutednoble，magnanimous，andfree，heseesthatthethingswhichsurroundhimareoftwokinds。Somearefreefromhindranceandinthepowerofthewill。
Otheraresubjecttohindrance，anddependonthewillofothermen。Ifthenheplacehisowngood，hisownbestinterest，onlyinthatwhichisfreefromhindranceandinhispower，hewillbefree，tranquil，happy，unharmed，noble—hearted，andpious；givingthankstoallthingsuntoGod，findingfaultwithnothingthatcomestopass，layingnochargeagainstanything。Whereasifheplacehisgoodinoutwardthings，dependingnotonthewill，hemustperforcebesubjecttohindranceandrestraint，theslaveofthosethathavepoweroverthethingshedesiresandfears；hemustperforcebeimpious，asdeeminghimselfinjuredatthehandsofGod；hemustbeunjust，aseverpronetoclaimmorethanhisdue；hemustperforcebeofameanandabjectspirit。
CLII
WhomthenshallIfear？thelordsoftheBedchamber，lesttheyshouldshutmeout？Iftheyfindmedesirousofenteringin，letthemshutmeout，iftheywill。
\"Thenwhycomestthoutothedoor？\"
BeacauseIthinkitmeetandright，solongasthePlaylasts，totakeparttherein。
\"Inwhatsenseartthouthenshutout？\"
Because，unlessIamadmitted，itisnotmywilltoenter：
onthecontrary，mywillissimplythatwhichcomestopass。ForIesteemwhatGodwillsbetterthanwhatIwill。ToHimwillI
cleaveasHisministerandattendant；havingthesamemovements，thesamedesires，inawordthesameWillasHe。Thereisnosuchthingasbeingshutoutforme，butonlyforthemthatwouldforcetheirwayin。
CLIII
ButwhatsaysSocrates？——\"Onemanfindspleasureinimprovinghisland，anotherhishorses。MypleasureliesinseeingthatImyselfgrowbetterdaybyday。\"
CLIV
Thedressissuitedtothecraft；thecraftsmantakeshisnamefromthecraft，notfromthedress。ForthisreasonEuphrateswasrightinsaying，\"Ilongendeavouredtoconcealmyfollowingthephilosophiclife；andthisprofitedmemuch。Inthefirstplace，IknewthatwhatIdidaright，Ididnotforthesakeoflookers—on，butformyown。Iatearight——untomyself；I
kepttheeventenorofmywalk，myglancecomposedandserene——
alluntomyselfanduntoGod。ThenasIfoughtalone，Iwasaloneinperil。IfIdidanythingamissorshameful，thecauseofPhilosophywasnotinmeendangered；nordidIwrongthemultitudebytransgressingasaprofessedphilosopher。Whereforethosethatknewnotmypurposemarvelledhowitcameabout，thatwhilstallmylifeandconversationwaspassedwithphilosopherswithoutexception，Iwasyetnonemyself。Andwhatharmthatthephilosophershouldbeknownbyhisacts，insteadofmereoutwardsignsandsymbols？\"
CLV
Firststudytoconcealwhatthouart；seekwisdomalittlewhileuntothyself。Thusgrowsthefruit；first，theseedmustbeburiedintheearthforalittlespace；thereitmustbehidandslowlygrow，thatitmayreachmaturity。Butifitproducetheearbeforethejointedstalk，itisimperfect——athingfromthegardenofAdonis。Suchasorrygrowthartthou；thouhastblossomedtoosoon：thewintercoldwillwithertheeaway!
CLVI
Firstofall，condemnthelifethouartnowleading：butwhenthouhastcondemnedit，donotdespairofthyself——benotlikethemofmeanspirit，whooncetheyhaveyielded，abandonthemselvesentirelyandasitwereallowthetorrenttosweepthemaway。No；learnwhatthewrestlingmastersdo。Hastheboyfallen？\"Rise，\"theysay，\"wrestleagain，tillthystrengthcometothee。\"Eventhusshoulditbewiththee。Forknowthatthereisnothingmoretractablethanthehumansoul。Itneedsbuttowill，andthethingisdone；thesoulissetupontherightpath：
asonthecontraryitneedsbuttonodoverthetask，andallislost。Forruinandrecoveryalikearefromwithin。
CLVII
Itisthecriticalmomentthatshowstheman。Sowhenthecrisisisuponyou，rememberthatGod，likeatrainerofwrestlers，hasmatchedyouwitharoughandstalwartantagonist。——\"
Towhatend？\"youask。ThatyoumayprovethevictorattheGreatGames。Yetwithouttoilandsweatthismaynotbe!
CLVIII
Ifthouwouldstmakeprogress，becontenttoseemfoolishandvoidofunderstandingwithrespecttooutwardthings。Carenottobethoughttoknowanything。Ifanyshouldmakeaccountofthee，distrustthyself。
CLIX
Rememberthatinlifethoushouldstorderthyconductasatabanquet。Hasanydishthatisbeingservedreachedthee？
Stretchforththyhandandhelpthyselfmodestly。Dothitpasstheeby？Seeknottodetainit。Hasitnotyetcome？Sendnotforththydesiretomeetit，butwaituntilitreachesthee。Dealthuswithchildren，thuswithwife；thuswithoffice，thuswithwealth——andonedaythouwiltbemeettosharetheBanquetsoftheGods。Butifthoudostnotsomuchastouchthatwhichisplacedbeforethee，butdespisestit，thenshaltthounotonlysharetheBanquetsoftheGods，buttheirEmpirealso。
CLX
Rememberthatthouartanactorinaplay，andofsuchsortastheAuthorchooses，whetherlongorshort。Ifitbehisgoodpleasuretoassigntheethepartofabeggar，aruler，orasimplecitizen，thineitistoplayitfitly。Forthybusinessistoactthepartassignedthee，well：tochooseit，isanother’s。
CLXI
Keepdeathandexiledailybeforethineeyes，withallelsethatmendeemterrible，butmoreespeciallyDeath。Thenwiltthouneverthinkameanthough，norcovetanythingbeyondmeasure。
CLXII
Asamarkisnotsetupinordertobemissed，soneitherissuchathingasnaturalevilproducedintheWorld。
CLXIII
PietytowardtheGods，tobesure，consistschieflyinthinkingrightlyconcerningthem——thattheyare，andthattheygoverntheUniversewithgoodnessandjustice；andthatthouthyselfartappointedtoobeythem，andtosubmitunderallcircumstancesthatarise；acquiescingcheerfullyinwhatevermayhappen，sureitisbroughttopassandaccomplishedbythemostPerfectUnderstanding。ThusthouwiltneverfindfaultwiththeGods，norchargethemwithneglectingthee。
CLXIV
Losenotimeinsettingbeforeyouacertainstampofcharacterandbehaviourbothwhenbyyourselfandincompanywithothers。Letsilencebeyourgeneralrule；orsayonlywhatisnecessaryandinfewwords。Weshall，however，whenoccassiondemands，enterintodiscoursesparingly。avoidingcommontopicsasgladiators，horse—races，athletes；andtheperpetualtalkaboutfoodanddrink。Aboveallavoidspeakingofpersons，eitherinwayofpraiseorblame，orcomparison。
Ifyoucan，winovertheconversationofyourcompanytowhatitshouldbebyyourown。Butifyoufindyourselfcutoffwithoutescapeamongstrangersandaliens，besilent。
CLXV
Laughtershouldnotbemuch，norfrequent，norunrestrained。
CLXVI
Refusealtogethertotakeanoathifyoucan，ifnot，asfarasmaybe。
CLXVII
Banquetsoftheunlearnedandofthemthatarewithout，avoid。Butifyouhaveoccasiontotakepartinthem，letnotyourattentionberelaxedforamoment，lestyouslipafterallintoevilways。Foryoumayrestassuredthatbeamaneversopurehimself，hecannotescapedefilementifhisassociatesareimpure。
CLXVIII
Takewhatrelatestothebodyasfarasthebareusewarrants——asmeat，drink，raiment，houseandservants。Butallthatmakesforshowandluxuryreject。
CLXIX
Ifyouaretoldthatsuchanonespeaksillofyou，makenodefenceagainstwhatwassaid，butanswer，Hesurelyknewnotmyotherfaults，elsehewouldnothavementionedtheseonly!
CLXX
Whenyouvisitanyofthoseinpower，bethinkyourselfthatyouwillnotfindhimin：thatyoumaynotbeadmitted：thatthedoormaybeshutinyourface：thathemaynotconcernhimselfaboutyou。Ifwithallthis，itisyourdutytogo，bearwhathappens，andneversaytoyourself，Itwasnotworththetrouble!
Forthatwouldsmackofthefoolishandunlearnedwhosufferoutwardthingstotouchthem。
CLXXI
Incompanyavoidfrequentandunduetalkaboutyourownactionsanddangers。Howeverpleasantitmaybetoyoutoenlargeupontherisksyouhaverun，othersmaynotfindsuchpleasureinlisteningtoyouradventures。Avoidprovokinglaughteralso：itisahabitfromwhichoneeasilyslidesintothewaysofthefoolish，andapttodiminishtherespectwhichyourneighborsfeelforyou。Toborderoncoarsetalkisalsodangerous。Onsuchoccasions，ifaconvenientopportunityoffer，rebukethespeaker。
Ifnot，atleastbyrelapsingintosilence，colouring，andlookingannoyed，showthatyouaredispleasedwiththesubject。
CLXXII
Whenyouhavedecidedthatathingoughttobedone，andaredoingit，nevershunbeingseendoingit，eventhoughthemultitudeshouldbelikelytojudgethematteramiss。Forifyouarenotactingrightly，shuntheactitself；ifrightly，however，whyfearmisplacedcensure？
CLXXIII
Itstampsamanofmeancapacitytospendmuchtimeonthethingsofthebody，astobelongoverbodilyexercises，longovereating，longoverdrinking，longoverotherbodilyfunctions。Rathershouldthesethingstakethesecondplace，whileallyourcareisdirectedtotheunderstanding。
CLXXIV
Everythinghastwohandles，onebywhichitmaybeborne，theotherbywhichitmaynot。Ifyourbrothersinagainstyoulaynotholdofitbythehandleofinjustice，forbythatitmaynotbeborne：butratherbythis，thatheisyourbrother，thecomradeofyouryouth；andthusyouwilllayholdonitsothatitmaybeborne。
CLXXV
NevercallyourselfaPhilosophernortalkmuchamongtheunlearnedaboutPrinciples，butdothatwhichfollowsfromthem。
Thusatabanquet，donotdiscusshowpeopleoughttoeat；buteatasyouought。RememberthatSocratesthusentirelyavoidedostentation。Menwouldcometohimdesiringtoberecommendedtophilosophers，andhewouldconductthemthitherhimself——sowelldidhebearbeingoverlooked。Accordinglyifanytalkconcerningprinciplesshouldariseamongtheunlearned，beyouforthemostpartsilent。Foryourungreatriskofspewingupwhatyouhaveilldigested。Andwhenamantellsyouthatyouknownothingandyouarenotnettledatit，thenyoumaybesurethatyouhavebegunthework。
CLXXVI
Whenyouhavebroughtyourselftosupplytheneedsofthebodyatsmallcost，donotpiqueyourselfonthat，norifyoudrinkonlywater，keepsayingoneachoccasion，Idrinkwater!
Andifyoueverwanttopractiseenduranceandtoil，dosountoyourselfandnotuntoothers——donotembracestatues!
CLXXVII
WhenamanprideshimselfonbeingabletounderstandandinterpretthewritingsofChrysippus，saytoyourself：——
IfChrysippushadnotwrittenobscurely，thisfellowwouldhavehadnothingtobeproudof。ButwhatisitthatIdesire？TounderstandNature，andtofollowher!AccordinglyIaskwhoistheInterpreter。OnhearingthatitisChrysippus，Igotohim。
ButitseemsIdonotunderstandwhathewrote。SoIseekonetointerpretthat。Sofarthereisnothingtopridemyselfon。ButwhenIhavefoundmyinterpreter，whatremainsistoputinpracticehisinstructions。Thisitselfistheonlythingtobeproudof。ButifIadmiretheinterpretationandthatalone，whatelsehaveIturnedoutbutamerecommentatorinsteadofaloverofwisdom？——exceptindeedthatIhappentobeinterpretingChrysippusinsteadofHomer。Sowhenanyonesaystome，Prithee，readmeChrysippus，Iammoreinclinedtoblush，whenIcannotshowmydeedstobeinharmonyandaccordancewithhissayings。
CLXXVIII
Atfeasts，rememberthatyouareentertainingtwoguests，bodyandsoul。Whatyougivetothebody，youpresentlylose；
whatyougivetothesoul，youkeepforever。
CLXXIX
Atmeals，seetoitthatthosewhoservebenotmoreinnumberthanthosewhoareserved。Itisabsurdforacrowdofpersonstobedancingattendanceonhalfadozenchairs。
CLXXX
Itisbesttosharewithyourattendantswhatisgoingforward，bothinthelabourofpreparationandintheenjoymentofthefeastitself。Ifsuchathingbedifficultatthetime，recollectthatyouwhoarenotwearyarebeingservedbythosethatare；youwhoareeatinganddrinkingbythosewhodoneither；youwhoaretalkingbythosewhoaresilent；youwhoareateasebythosewhoareunderconstraint。Thusnosuddenwrathwillbetrayyouintounreasonableconduct，norwillyoubehaveharshlybyirritatinganother。
CLXXXI
WhenXanthippewaschidingSocratesformakingscantypreparationforentertaininghisfriends，heanswered：——\"Iftheyarefriendsofour，theywillnotcareforthat；iftheyarenot，weshallcarenothingforthem!\"
CLXXXII
Asked，Whoistherichman？Epictetusreplied，\"Hewhoiscontent。\"
CLXXXIII
FavorinustellsushowEpictetuswouldalsosaythatthereweretwofaultsfargraverandfoulerthananyothers——inabilitytobear，andinabilitytoforbear，whenweneitherpatientlybeartheblowsthatmustbeborne，norabstainfromthethingsandthepleasuresweoughttoabstainfrom。\"So，\"hewenton，\"ifamanwillonlyhavethesetwowordsatheart，andheedthemcarefullybyrulingandwatchingoverhimself，hewillforthemostpartfallintonosin，andhislifewillbetranquilandserene。\"Hemeantthewords？？——\"BearandForbear。\"
CLXXXIV
Onalloccasionsthesethoughtsshouldbeathand：——
Leadme，OGod，andThou，ODestinyBewhatitmaythegoalappointedme，BravelyI’llfollow；nay，andifIwouldnot，I’dproveacoward，yetmustfollowstill!
Again：
WhotoNecessitydothbowaright，Islearn’dinwisdomandthethingsofGod。
Oncemore：——
Crito，ifthisbeGod’swill，soletitbe。Asforme，AnytusandMeletuscanindeedputmetodeath，butinjureme，never!
CLXXXV
WeshallthenbelikeSocrates，whenwecaninditehymnsofpraisetotheGodsinprison。
CLXXXVI
Itishardtocombineandunitethesetwoqualities，thecarefulnessofonewhoisaffectedbycircumstances，andtheintrepidityofonewhoheedsthemnot。Butitisnotimpossible：
elsewerehappinessalsoimpossible。Weshouldactaswedoinseafaring。
\"WhatcanIdo？\"——Choosethemaster，thecrew，theday，theopportunity。Thencomesasuddenstorm。Whatmattersittome？myparthasbeenfullydone。Thematterisinthehandsofanother——
theMasteroftheship。Theshipisfoundering。WhatthenhaveI
todo？Idotheonlythingthatremainstome——tobedrownedwithoutfear，withoutacry，withoutupbraidingGod，butknowingthatwhathasbeenbornmustlikewiseperish。ForIamnotEternity，butahumanbeing——apartofthewhole，asanhourispartoftheday。Imustcomelikethehour，andlikethehourmustpass!
CLXXXVII
AndnowwearesendingyoutoRometospyouttheland；butnonesendacowardassuchaspy，that，ifhehearbutanoiseandseeashadowmovinganywhere，loseshiswitsandcomesflyingtosay，Theenemyareuponus!
Soifyougonow，andcomeandtellus：\"EverythingatRomeisterrible：Deathisterrible，Exileisterrible，Slanderisterrible，Wantisterrible；fly，comrades!theenemyareuponus!\"weshallreply，Getyougone，andprophesytoyourself!wehavebuterredinsendingsuchaspyasyou。Diogenes，whowassentasaspylongbeforeyou，broughtusbackanotherreportthanthis。HesaysthatDeathisnoevil；foritneednotevenbringshamewithit。HesaysthatFameisbuttheemptynoiseofmadmen。AndwhatreportdidthisspybringusofPain，whatofPleasure，whatofWant？Thattobeclothedinsackclothisbetterthananypurplerobe；thatsleepingonthebaregroundisthesoftestcouch；andinproofofeachassertionhepointstohisowncourage，constancy，andfreedom；tohisownhealthyandmuscularframe。\"Thereisnoenemynear，\"hecries，\"allisperfectpeace!\"
CLXXXVIII
Ifamanhasthispeace——notthepeaceproclaimedbyCaesar（howindeedshouldhehaveittoproclaim？），nay，butthepeaceproclaimedbyGodthroughreason，willnotthatsufficehimwhenalone，whenhebeholdsandreflects：——Nowcannoevilhappenuntome；formethereisnorobber，formenoearthquake；allthingsarefullofpeace，fulloftranquillity；neitherhighwaynorcitynorgatheringofmen，neitherneighbornorcomradecandomehurt。Anothersuppliesmyfood，whosecareitis；anothermyraiment；anotherhathgivenmeperceptionsofsenseandprimaryconceptions。AndwhenHesuppliesmynecessitiesnomore，itisthatHeissoundingtheretreat，thatHehathopenedthedoor，andissayingtothee，Come!——Wither？Tonoughtthatthouneedestfear，buttothefriendlykindredelementswhencethoudidstspring。Whatsoeveroffireisinthee，untofireshallreturn；
whatsoeverofearth，untoearth；ofspirit，untospirit；ofwater，untowater。ThereisnoHades，nofabledriversofSighs，ofLamentation，orofFire：butallthingsarefullofBeingsspiritualanddivine。Withthoughtslikethese，beholdingtheSun，Moon，andStars，enjoyingearthandsea，amanisneitherhelplessnoralone!
CLXXXIX
WhatwouldstthoubefounddoingwhenovertakenbyDeath？IfImightchoose，Iwouldbefounddoingsomedeedoftruehumanity，ofwideimport，beneficentandnoble。ButifImaynotbefoundengagedinaughtsolofty，letmehopeatleastforthis——whatnonemayhinder，whatissurelyinmypower——thatI
maybefoundraisingupinmyselfthatwhichhadfallen；learningtodealmorewiselywiththethingsofsense；workingoutmyowntranquillity，andthusrenderingthatwhichisitsduetoeveryrelationoflife……
Ifdeathsurprisemethusemployed，itisenoughifIcanstretchforthmyhandstoGodandsay，\"ThefacultieswhichI
receivedatThyhandsforapprehendingthisthineAdministration，Ihavenotneglected。Asfarasinmelay，IhavedoneTheenodishonour。BeholdhowIhaveusedthesenses，theprimaryconceptionswhichThousgavestme。HaveIeverlaidanythingtoThycharge？HaveIevermurmuredataughtthatcametopass，orwisheditotherwise？HaveIinanythingtransgressedtherelationsoflife？ForthatThoudidstbegetme，IthankTheeforthatThouhastgiven：forthetimeduringwhichIhaveusedthethingsthatwereThine，itsufficesme。TakethembackandplacethemwhereverThouwilt!TheywereallThine，andThougavestthemme。\"——Ifamandepartthusminded，isitnotenough？Whatlifeisfairerandmorenoble，whatendhappierthanhis？
（APPENDIXA）
FRAGMENTS
AttributedtoEpictetusI
AlifeentangledwithFortuneislikeatorrent。Itisturbulentandmuddy；hardtopassandmasterfulofmood：noisyandofbriefcontinuance。
II
ThesoulthatcompanieswithVirtueislikeanever—flowingsource。Itisapure，clear，andwholesomedraught；sweet，rich，andgenerousofitsstore；thatinjuresnot，neitherdestroys。
III
Itisashamethatonewhosweetenshisdrinkwiththegiftsofthebee，shouldembitterGod’sgiftReasonwithvice。
IV
Crowspickouttheeyesofthedead，whenthedeadhavenolongerneedofthem；butflatterersmarthesouloftheliving，andhereyestheyblind。
V
Keepneitherabluntknifenoranill—disciplinedloosenessoftongue。
VI
Naturehathgivenmenonetonguebuttwoears，thatwemayhearfromotherstwiceasmuchaswespeak。
VII
DonotgivesentenceinanothertribunaltillyouhavebeenyourselfjudgedinthetribunalofJustice。
VIII
IfisshamefulforaJudgetobejudgedbyothers。
IX
Givemebyallmeanstheshorterandnoblerlife，insteadofonethatislongerbutoflessaccount!
X
Freedomisthenameofvirtue：Slavery，ofvice……Noneisaslavewhoseactsarefree。
XI
Ofpleasures，thosewhichoccurmostrarelygivethemostdelight。
XII
Exceedduemeasure，andthemostdelightfulthingsbecometheleastdelightful。
XIII
Theangerofanape——thethreatofaflatterer：——thesedeserveequalregard。
XIV
Chastisethypassionsthattheyavengenotthemselvesuponthee。
XV
Nomanisfreewhoisnotmasterofhimself。
XVI
Ashipshouldnotrideonasingleanchor，norlifeonasinglehope。
XVII
Fortifythyselfwithcontentment：thatisanimpregnablestronghold。
XVIII
Nomanwhoisaloverofmoney，ofpleasure，ofglory，islikewisealoverofMen；butonlyhethatisaloverofwhatsoeverthingsarefairandgood。
XIX
ThinkofGodmoreoftenthanthoubreathest。
XX
Choosethelifethatisnoblest，forcustomcanmakeitsweettothee。
XXI
LetthyspeechofGodbereneweddaybyday，aye，ratherthanthymeatanddrink。
XXII
EvenastheSundothnotwaitforprayersandincantationstorise，butshinesforthandiswelcomedbyall：sothoualsowaitnotforclappingofhandsandshoutsandpraisetodothyduty；nay，dogoodofthineownaccord，andthouwiltbelovedliketheSun。
XXIII
Letnomanthinkthatheislovedbyanywholovethnone。
XXIV
IfthourememberestthatGodstandethbytobeholdandvisitallthatthoudoest；whetherinthebodyorinthesoul，thousurelywiltnoterrinanyprayerordeed；andthoushalthaveGodtodwellwiththee。
Note。——Schweigh剈ser’sgreateditioncollects181fragmentsattributedtoEpictetus，ofwhichbutafewarecertainlygenuine。Some（asxxi。，xxiv。，above）bearthestampofPythagoreanorigin；others，thoughchangedinform，maywellbebaseduponEpicteteansayings。MosthavebeenpreservedintheAnthologyofJohnofStobi（Stobaeus），aByzantinecollector，ofwhomscarcelyanythingisknownbutthatheprobablywrotetowardstheendofthefifthcentury，andmadehisvastbodyofextractsfrommorethanfivehundredauthorsforhisson’suse。
ThebestexaminationoftheauthenticityoftheFragmentsisQuaestionesEpicteteae，byR。Asmus，1888。Theaboveselectionincludessomeofdoubtfuloriginbutintrinsicinterest。——Crossley。
（APPENDIXB）
TheHymnofCleanthesChiefestgloryofdeathlessGods，Almightyforever，SovereignofNaturethatrulestbylaw，whatNameshallwegiveThee？——
BlessedbeThou!foronTheeshouldcallallthingsthataremortal。
ForthatweareThineoffspring；nay，allthatinmyriadmotionLivesforitsdayontheearthbearsoneimpress——Thylikeness——uponit。
WhereforemysongisofThee，andIhymnthypowerforever。
Lo，thevastorboftheWorlds，roundtheEarthevermoreasitrolleth，FeelsTheeitsRulerandGuide，andownsThylordshiprejoicing。
Aye，forThyconqueringhandshaveaservantoflivingfire——
Sharpisthebolt!——whereitfalls，Natureshrinksattheshockanddothshudder。
ThusThoudirectesttheWorduniversalthatpulsesthroughallthings，MinglingitslifewithLightsthataregreatandLightsthatarelesser，E’enasbeseemethitsbirth，HighKingthroughagesunending。
NoughtisdonethatisdonewithoutTheeintheearthorthewatersOrintheheightsofheaven，savethedeedofthefoolandthesinner。
Thoucanstmakeroughthingssmooth；atThyvoice，lo，jarringdisorderMovethtomusic，andLoveisbornwherehatredabounded。
ThushastThoufittedalikethingsgoodandthingseviltogether，ThatoverallmightreignoneReason，supremeandeternal；
Thoughthereuntotheheartsofthewickedbehardenedandheedless——
Woeuntothem!——forwhileevertheirhandsaregraspingatgoodthings，Blindaretheireyes，yea，stoppedaretheirearstoGod’sLawuniversal，Callingthroughwisedisobediencetolivethelifethatisnoble。
Thistheymarknot，butheedlessofright，turneachtohisownway，Here，aheartfiredwithambition，instrifeandstrainingunhallowed；
There，thrustinghonouraside，fastsetupongettingandgaining；
Othersagaingivenovertolustsanddissolutesoftness，WorkingneverGod’sLaw，butthatwhichwarrethuponit。
Nay，but，OGiverofallthingsgood，whosehomeisthedarkcloud，ThouthatwieldesyHeaven’sbolt，savemenfromtheirignorancegrievous；
Scatteritsnightfromtheirsouls，andgrantthemtocometothatWisdomWherewithal，sisteredwithJustice，Thourulestandgovernestallthings；
Thatwe，honouredbyThee，mayrequiteTheewithworshipandhonour，Evermorepraisingthyworks，asismeetformenthatshallperish；
Seeingthatnone，behemortalorGod，hathprivilegenoblerThanwithoutstint，withoutstay，toextolThyLawuniversal。