Page:Discourses of Epictetus.djvu/486



Fortify yourself with contentment, for this is an impregnable fortress.

Let nothing be valued more than truth: not even selection of a friendship which lies without the influence of the affects, by which (affects) justice is both confounded (disturbed) and darkened.

Truth is a thing immortal and perpetual, and it gives to us a beauty which fades not away in time nor does it take away the freedom of speech which proceeds from justice; but it gives to us the knowledge of what is just and lawful, separating from them the unjust and refuting them.

We should not have either a blunt knife or a freedom of speech which is ill managed.

Nature has given to men one tongue, but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak.

Nothing really pleasant or unpleasant subsists by nature, but all things become so through habit (custom).

Choose the best life, for custom (habit) will make it pleasant.

Be careful to leave your sons well instructed rather than rich, for the hopes of the instructed are better than the wealth of the ignorant.