Page:All the works of Epictetus - which are now extant; consisting of his Discourses, preserved by Arrian, in four books, the Enchiridion, and fragments (IA allworksofepicte00epic).pdf/152

RV 100 (Chap. 1.) To a Boy? To a Tyrant? To some Friend of a Tyrant? Else, why do you tremble when any of these is in question? Therefore, I so often repeat to you, Let this be your Study; have this always at hand; in what it is necessary to be courageous, and in what cautious: courageous, in what doth not depend on Choice; cautious, in what doth.

§. 5. But have not I read my Papers to you? Do not you know what I am doing?

In what?

In my Essays.

Show me in what State you are, as to Desire and Aversion. Whether you do not fail of what you wish, and incur what you would avoid but, as to these common-place Essays, if you are wise, you will take them, and obliterate them.

Why, did not Socrates write?

Yes who so much? But how? As he had not always one at hand, to argue against his Principles, or be argued against in his Turn, he argued with, and examined, himself; and always treated, at least, some one natural Notion, in a manner fitted for the Use of Life. These are the Things which a Philosopher writes: but for such com- mon-