Kitap A
136
All things obey and serve the world (the universe), earth and sea and sun and the rest of the stars, and the plants of earth and animals. And our body obeys it also both in disease and in health when it (the universe) chooses, both in youth and in age, and when it is passing through the other changes. What is reasonable then and in our power is this, for our judgment not to be the only thing which resists it (the universe): for it is strong and superior, and it has determined better about us by administering (governing) us also together with the whole. And besides, this opposition also is unreasonable and does nothing more than cause us to be tormented uselessly and to fall into pain and sorrow.
136
The fragments which follow are in part assigned to Epictetus, in part to others.
137
Contentment, as it is a short road and pleasant, has great delight and little trouble.
138
Fortify yourself with contentment, for this is an im- pregnable fortress.
139
Let nothing be valued more than truth: not even selec- tion of a friendship which lies without the influence of the affects, by which (affects) justice is both confounded (disturbed) and darkened.The meaning of the second part is confused and uncertain. See Schweig.’s note.
140
Truth is a thing immortal and perpetual, and it gives to us a beauty which fades not away in time nor does it take awayIn place of ἀφαιρεῖ τὴν Mrs. Carter proposes to read ἀφαιρετήν the freedom of speech which proceeds from justice; but it gives to us the knowledge of what is just and lawful, separating from them the unjust and refuting them.
141
We should not have either a blunt knife or a freedom of speech which is ill managed.
142
Nature has given to men one tongue, but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak.
143
Nothing really pleasant or unpleasant subsists by nature, but all things become so through habit (custom).See Schweig.’s note.
144
Choose the best life, for custom (habit) will make it pleasant.
