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/64

RV 12 (Chap. 4.) ver think meanly or degenerately concerning themselves. But with the Multitude the Case is contrary: "For what am I? A poor contemptible Man, with this miserable Flesh of mine!" Miserable indeed. But you have likewise something better than this paultry Flesh. Why then, overlooking that, do you pine away in Attention to this?

§. 2. By means of this [animal] Kindred, some of us, deviating towards it, become like Wolves, faithless, and insidious, and mischievous: others, like Lions, wild, and savage, and untamed: but most of us Foxes, and Wretches even among Brutes. For what else is a slanderous and ill-natured Man, than a Fox, or something yet more wretched and mean? See then, and take heed, that you do not become such Wretches. 



E who is entering on a State of Improvement, having learnt from the Philosophers, that the Object of Desire is Good, of Aversion, Evil, and having learnt too, that Prosperity and Ease are no otherwise attainable by Man, than in not being disappointed of his Desire, nor incurring his Aversion: such an one removes totally from himself and postpones Desire, and applies Aversion only to things dependent on Choice. For if he should be averse to Things independent on Choice; he knows, that he must sometimes incur his Aversion, and be unhappy. Now if Virtue promises Happiness, Prosperity, and Ease; then, an Improvement in Virtue is certainly an Improvement in each of these. For to whatever Point the Per-