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/55

Chap. 1. Clay. Since, then, I could not give thee this, I have given thee a certain Portion of myself this Faculty of exerting the Powers of Pursuit and Avoidance, of Desire and Aversion; and, in a Word, the Use of the Appearances of Things. Taking Care of this Point, and making what is thy own to consist in this, thou wilt never be restrained, never be hindered; thou wilt not groan, wilt not complain, wilt not flatter any one. How then! Do all these Advantages seem small to thee? Heaven forbid! Let them suffice thee then, and thank the Gods."

§. 4. But now, when it is in our Power to take Care of one Thing, and to apply to one, we chuse rather to take Care of many, and to incumber ourselves with many; Body, Property, Brother, Friend, Child, and Slave; and, by this Multiplicity of Incumbrances, we are burdened and weighed down. Thus, when the Weather doth not happen to be fair for sailing, we sit screwing ourselves, and perpetually looking out.—Which Way is the Wind?—North.—What have we to do with that?—When will the West blow?—When itself, Friend, or Æolus pleases; for Jupiter has not made You Dispenser of the Winds, but Æolus.

§. 5. What then is to be done?

To make the best of what is in our Power, and take the rest as it naturally happens.

And how is that?

As it pleases God.

What, then, must I be the only one to lose my Head? Why,