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/47



composed the Discourses of Epictetus in such a manner, as Things of this Nature are commonly composed: nor did I myself produce them to public View, any more than I composed them. But whatever Sentiments I heard from his own Mouth, the very same I endeavoured to set down in the very same Words, as far as possible, and preserve as Memorials for my own Use, of his Manner of Thinking, and Freedom of Speech.

Discourses are such as one Person would naturally deliver from his own Thoughts, extempore, to another; not such as he would prepare to be read by Numbers afterwards. Yet, notwithstanding this, I cannot tell how, without either my Consent or Knowledge, they have fallen into the Hands of the Public. But it is of little Consequence to me, if I do not appear an able Writer; and of none to Epictetus, if any one treats his Discourses with Con-