All the Works of Epictetus · 61 of 100

Book III, Chapter 3

1.The Subject-matter of a wise and good Man is, his own governing Faculty. The Body is the Subject-matter of a Physician, and of a Master of Exercise; and a Field, of the Husbandman. The Business of a wise and good Man is, an Use of the Appearances of Things, conformable to Nature. Now, every Soul, as it is naturally formed for an Assent to Truth, a Dissent from Falshood, and a Suspence with regard to Uncertainty; so it is moved by a Desire of Good, an Aversion from Evil, and an Indifference to what is neither good nor evil. For, as a Money-changer, or a Gardener, is not at Liberty to reject Cæsar ‘ s Coin; but when once it is shown, is obliged, whether he will or not, to deliver what is sold for it; so is it in the Soul. Apparent Good at first Sight attracts, and Evil repells. Nor will the Soul any more reject an evident Appearance of Good, than [they will] Cæsar ‘ s Coin.

2.Hence depends every Movement, both of God and Man; and hence Good is preferred to every Obligation, however near. My Connexion is not with my Father; but with Good. —— Are you so hard-hearted? —— Such is my Nature, and such is the Coin which God hath given me. If, therefore, Good is made to be any thing but Fair and Just, away go Father, and Brother, and Country, and every thing. What! Shall I overlook my own Good, and give it up to you? For what? “I am your Father.” But not my Good. “I am your Brother.” But not my Good. But, if we place it in a right Choice, Good will consist in an Observance of the several Relations of Life; and then, he who gives up some Externals, acquires Good. Your Father deprives you of your Money; but he doth not hurt you. Your Brother will possess as much larger a Portion of Land than you, as he pleases; but will he possess more Honour? More Fidelity? More fraternal Affection? Who can throw you out of this Possession? Not even Jupiter: for, indeed, it is not his Will; but he hath put this Good into my own Power, and given it me, like his own, uncompelled, unrestrained, and unhindered. But, when any one hath a Coin different from this, [for his Coin,] whoever shows it to him, may have whatever is sold for it, in return. A thievish Proconsul comes into the Province: What Coin doth he use? Silver. Show it him, and carry off what you please. An Adulterer comes: What Coin doth he use? Women. Take the Coin, says one, and give me this Trifle. “Give it me, and it is yours.” Another is addicted to Boys give him the Coin, and take what you please. Another is fond of hunting: give him a fine Nag, or a Puppy; and, though with Sighs and Groans, he will sell you for it, what you will, for he is inwardly compelled by another, who hath constituted this Coin.

3.In this manner, ought every one chiefly to exercise himself. When you go out in a Morning, examine whomsoever you see, or hear: answer, as to a Question. What have you seen? A handsome Person? Apply the Rule. Is this dependent, or independent, on Choice? Independent. Throw it away. What have you seen? One grieving for the Decease of a Child? Apply the Rule. Death is independent on Choice. Throw it by. Hath a Consul met you? Apply the Rule. What Kind of thing is the Consular Office? dependent, or independent, on Choice? Independent. Throw aside this too. It is not Proof. Cast it away. It is nothing to you.

4.If we acted thus, and practised in this manner, from Morning till Night, by Heaven, something would be done. Whereas now, on the contrary, we are caught by every Appearance, half-asleep; and, if we ever do awake, it is only a little in the School: but, as soon as we go out, if we meet any one grieving, we say, “He is undone.” If a Consul, “How happy is he!” If an Exile, “How miserable.” If a poor Man, “How wretched; he hath nothing to eat!”

5.These vicious Principles then are to be lopped off: and here is our whole Strength to be applied. For what is Weeping and Groaning? Principle. What is Misfortune? Principle. What is Sedition, Discord, Complaint, Accusation, Impiety, Trifling? All these are Principles, and nothing more; and Principles concerning Things independent on Choice, as if they were either good or evil. Let any one transfer these Principles to Things dependent on Choice, and I will engage, that he will preserve his Constancy, whatever be the State of Things about him.

6.The Soul resembles a Vessel filled with Water: the Appearances of things resemble a Ray falling upon its Surface. If the Water is moved, the Ray will seem to be moved likewise, though it is in reality without Motion. Whenever therefore, any one is seized with a Swimming in his Head, it is not the Arts and Virtues that are confounded, but the Mind, in which they are: and, if this recover its Composure, so will they likewise.