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/370

RV 318 (Chap. 1.) Children. And where is the Wonder? For if the same Master had bought an Instructor for his Children, in the Exercises of the Palæstra, would he in those Exercises have treated him as a Servant, or as a Master? And, so if he had bought a Physician or an Architect? In every Subject, the Skilful must necessarily be superior to the Unskilful. What else then can he be but Master, who possesses the universal Knowledge of Life? For who is Master in a Ship? The Pilot. Why? Because whoever disobeys him is a Loser."But a Master can put me in Chains."Can he do it then without being a Loser?"So I, among others, used to think."But, because he must be a Loser, for that very Reason it is not in his Power: for no one acts unjustly, without being a Loser.—"And what Loss doth he suffer, who puts his own Slave in Chains?"—What think you? The very putting him in Chains. This you yourself must grant, if you would preserve the Doctrine, that Man is not a wild, but a gentle Animal. For when is it, that a Vine is in a bad Condition?"When it is in a Condition contrary to its Nature."When a Cock?"The same."Therefore a Man too. What then is his Nature? To bite, and kick, and throw into Prison, and cut off Heads? No: but to do good, to assist, to indulge the Wishes of others. Whether you will, or not then, he is in a bad Condition, when-ever he acts unreasonably."And so, was not Socrates in a bad Condition?"No: but his Judges and Accusers."Nor Helvidius, at Rome?"No: but his Murderer."How do you talk?" Why, just as you do. You do not call that Cock in a bad Condition, which is victorious, and wounded; but that which is conquered, and comes