Book A
108
Give of what you have to strangers (ξένοις) and to those who have need: for he who gives not to him who wants, will not receive himself when he wants.
109
A pirate had been cast on the land and was perishing through the tempest. A man took clothing and gave it to him, and brought the pirate into his house, and supplied him with every thing else that was necessary. When the man was reproached by a person for doing kindness to the bad, he replied, I have shown this regard not to the man, but to mankind.Mrs. Carter in her notes often refers to the Christian precepts, but she says nothing here. The fragment is not from Epictetus; but, whether the story is true or not, it is an example of the behaviour of a wise and good man.
110
A man should choose (pursue) not every pleasure, but the pleasure which leads to the good.See Schweig.’s interpretation and emendation. I doubt if he is right.
111
It is the part of a wise man to resist pleasures, but of a foolish man to be a slave to them.
112
Pleasure, like a kind of bait, is thrown before (in front of) every thing which is really bad, and easily allures greedy souls to the hook of perdition.
113
Choose rather to punish your appetites than to be punished through them.
114
No man is free who is not master of himself.
115
The vine bears three bunches of grapes: the first is that of pleasure, the second of drunkenness, the third of violence.
116
Over your wine do not talk much to display your learning; for you will utter bilious stuff.χολερὰ γὰρ ἀποφθέγξῃ. See Schweig.’s note.
117
He is intoxicated who drinks more than three cups: and if he is not intoxicated, he has exceeded moderation.
118
Let your talk of God be renewed every day, rather than your food.
119
Think of God more frequently than you breathe.
120
If you always remember that whatever you are doing in the soul or in the body, God stands by as an inspector, you will never err (do wrong) in all your prayers and in all your acts, but you will have God dwelling with you.This is the doctrine of God being in man. See the Index.
