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/58

RV 6 (Chap. 1.) ought to be studied; to have rendered our Desires and Aversions incapable of being restrained, or incurred. I must die: if instantly, I will die instantly, if in a short time, I will dine first; and when the Hour comes, then I will die. How? As becomes one who restores what is not his own. 



O a reasonable Creature, that alone is insupportable which is unreasonable: but every thing reasonable may be supported. Stripes are not naturally infupportable.—"How so?"—See how the Spartans bear whipping, after they have learned that it is a reasonable thing. Hanging is not insupportable: for, as soon as a Man has taken it into his Head that it is reasonable, he goes and hangs himself. In short, we shall find by Observation, that no Creature is oppressed so much by any thing, as by what is unreasonable; nor, on the other hand, attracted to any thing so strongly, as to what is reasonable.

§. 2. But it happens that different Things are reasonable and unreasonable, as well as good and bad, advan-