Page:Encheiridion of Epictetus - Rolleston 1881.pdf/43

THE ENCHEIRIDION. that you are about to do. If you propose to go to the bath, represent to yourself all the things that take place at the bathing establishment, the squirting of water, the beating, the bad language, the theft. And after this fashion you will take the matter more safely in hand if you say I intend simply to bathe, and to maintain my purpose according to Nature. And similarly with every action. For thus if anything should occur to cross you in your bathing, you will instantly think I did not only intend to bathe, but also that my purpose should be maintained according to Nature, But it will not be so maintained if I let myself be vexed at what occurs.

T is not things in themselves, but the opinions held about them which trouble and confuse our minds. Thus, Death is not really terrible—if it were so it would have appeared so to Socrates—but the opinion about Death, that it is terrible, that it is wherein the terror lies. Wherefore when we are hindered, or confounded, or grieved, let us never cast the blame upon others, but upon ourselves; that is, on our opinions of things. A man untaught