Page:Discourses of Epictetus.djvu/482



Pleasure, like a kind of bait, is thrown before (in front of) every thing which is really bad, and easily allures greedy souls to the hook of perdition.

Choose rather to punish your appetites than to be punished through them.

No man is free who is not master of himself.

The vine bears three bunches of grapes: the first is that of pleasure, the second of drunkenness, the third of violence.

Over your wine do not talk much to display your learning; for you will utter bilious stuff.

He is intoxicated who drinks more than three cups: and if he is not intoxicated, he has exceeded moderation.

Let your talk of God be renewed every day, rather than your food.

Think of God more frequently than you breathe.

If you always remember that whatever you are doing in the soul or in the body, God stands by as an inspector, you will never err (do wrong) in all your prayers and in all your acts, but you will have God dwelling with you.