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/434

RV 382 (Chap. 13.) Court, even if, for the Sake of it, you were to kill your own Children, like Medea? Where is the Equality of this? But show me, that you are faithful; a Man of Honour, steady; show me, that you have friendly Principles; show me, that your Vessel is not leaky; and you shall see, that I will not stay till you have trusted your Affairs to me; but I will come and intreat you to hear an Account of mine. For who would not make use of a good Vessel? Who despises a benevolent and friendly Adviser? Who will not gladly receive one to share the Burden, as it were, of his Difficulties; and, by sharing, to make it lighter?"Well: "but I trust you, and you do not trust me."In the first place, you do not really trust me; but you are a Blab, and therefore can keep nothing in. For, if the former be the Case, trust only me. But now, whomever you see at leisure, you sit down by him, and say, "My dear Friend, there is not a Man in the World that wishes me better, or hath more Kindness for me, than you; I intreat you to hear my Affairs." And this you do to those, with whom you have not the least Acquaintance. But, if you do [really] trust me, it is plainly as [thinking me] a Man of Fidelity and Honour; and not because I have told you my Affairs. Let me alone then, till I too am of this Opinion [with regard to You]. Show me, that, if a Person hath told his Affairs to any one, it is a Proof of his being a Man of Fidelity and Honour. For, if this was the Case, I would go about and tell my Affairs to the whole World; if, upon that Account, I should become a Man of Fidelity and Honour. But that is no such Matter; but requires a Person to have no ordinary Principles.

§. 4. If then you see any one taking Pains for Things that belong to others, and subjecting his Choice to them, be assured, that this Man hath a thousand Things to compell and restrain him. He hath