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/285

RV 233 (Chap. 13.) shall live impassive, and free from all." Shall not he who enjoys this Peace, proclaimed, not by Cæsar (for how should he have it to proclaim?) but by God, through Reason, be contented, when he is alone reflecting, and considering; "To me there can now no ill happen: there is no Thief, no Earthquake. All is full of Peace, all full of Tranquillity, every Road, every City, every Assembly. My Neighbour, my Companion, unable to hurt me." Another, whose Care it is, provides you with Food, with Clothes, with Senses, with Pre-conceptions. Whenever he doth not provide what is necessary, he sounds a Retreat: He opens the Door, and says to you: "Come." Whither? To nothing dreadful; but to that, whence you were made; to what is friendly and congenial, to the Elements . What in you was Fire, goes away to Fire; what was Earth, to Earth; what Air, to Air; what Water, to Water. There is no Hades, nor Acheron, nor Corytus, nor Pyriphlegethon; but all is full of Gods and Demons. He who can have such Thoughts; and can look upon the Sun, Moon, and Stars, and enjoy the Earth and Sea, is no more solitary, than he is helpless.Well: but suppose any one should come and murder me, when I am alone.Fool: not you; but that insignificant Body of yours.

§. 2. What Solitude is there then left? What Destitution? Why do we make ourselves worse than