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/452

400 own Situation towards him. Consider not what he doth; but what you are to do, to keep your own Faculty of Choice in a State conformable to Nature. For another will not hurt you, unless you please. You will then be hurt, when you think you are hurt. In this manner, therefore, you will find, from [the Idea of] a Neighbour, a Citizen, a General, the [corresponding] Duties, if you accustom yourself to contemplate the [several] Relations.

assured, that the essential Property of Piety towards the Gods, is, to form right Opinions concerning them, as existing, and as governing the Universe with Goodness and Justice. And fix yourself in this Resolution, to obey them, and yield to them, and willingly follow them in all Events, as produced by the most perfect Understanding. For, thus you will never find Fault with the Gods, nor accuse them as neglecting you. And it is not possible for this to be effected any other way, than by withdrawing yourself from Things not in our own Power, and placing Good or Evil in those only which are. For if you suppose any of the Things, not in our own Power, to be either good or evil; when you are disappointed of what you wish, or incur what you would avoid, you must necessarily find fault with, and blame the Authors. For every Animal is naturally formed to fly and abhor Things that appear hurtful, and the Causes of them; and to pursue and admire those which appear beneficial, and the Causes of them. It is impracticable then, that one who supposes himself to be hurt, should rejoice in the Person who, he thinks, hurts him; just as it is impossible to rejoice in the Hurt itself. Hence, also, a Father is reviled by a Son, when he doth not impart to him the Rh