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/449

Rh and Fidelity, and greatness of Mind, show me the Way, and I will get them: but, if them but, if you require me to lose my own proper Good, that you may gain what is no Good, consider how unequitable and foolish you are. Besides: which would you rather have a Sum of Money; or a Friend of Fidelity and Honour? Rather assist me then to gain this Character, than require me to do those Things by which I may lose it. Well: but my Country, say you, as far as depends upon me, will be unassisted. Here again, what Assistance is this you mean? "It will not have Porticos, nor Baths, of your providing." And what signifies that? Why, neither doth a Smith provide it with Shoes, or a Shoemaker with Arms. It is enough, if every one fully performs his own proper Business. And were you to supply it with another Citizen of Honour and Fidelity, would not he be of Use to it? Yes. Therefore neither are you yourself useless to it. "What Place then, say you, shall I hold in the State?" Whatever you can hold with the Preservation of your Fidelity and Honour. But if, by desiring to be useful to that, you lose these, of what Use can you be to your Country, when you are become faithless, and void of Shame?

any one preferred before you at an Entertainment, or in a Compliment, or in being admitted to a Consultation? If these Things are good you ought to rejoice, that he hath got them: and, if they are evil, do not be grieved, that you have not got them. And remember, that you cannot, without using the same Means [which others do] to acquire Things not in our own Power, expect to be thought worthy of an equal Share of them. For Rh