possible to make use of our Desire and Aversion, without Hindrance.
§. 5. I am better than you; for my Father hath been Consul. I have been a Tribune, says another, and not you. If we were Horses, would you say, My Father was swifter than yours? I have Abundance of Oats and Hay, and fine Trappings? What now, if, while you were saying this, I should answer; "Be if so. Let us run a Race then." Is there nothing in Man analogous to a Race in Horses, by which it may be known, which is better or worse? Is there not Honour, Fidelity, Justice? Show yourself the better in these; that you may be the better, as a Man. But if you tell me, you can kick violently; I will tell you gain, that you value yourself on the Property of an Ass.
CHAPTER XV.
That every Thing is to be undertaken with Circumspection.
§. 1.[1]In every Affair consider what precedes and follows; and then undertake it. Otherwise you will begin with Spirit; but, not having thought of the Consequences, when some of them appear, you will shamefully desist. "I would conquer at the Olympic Games." But consider what proceeds and follows, and then, if it be for your Advantage, engage in the Affair. You must conform to Rules; submit to a Diet; refrain
- ↑ This XVth Chapter makes the XXIXth of the Enchiridion but with some Varieties of Reading. Particularly, for εν τω αγωνι παρορυσσεσθαι here, is εις τον αγωνα παρερχεσθαι there.
This Chapter hath a great Conformity to Luke xiv. 28, &c. But it is to be observed, that Epictetus, both here, and elsewhere, supposes some Persons incapable of being Philosophers; that is, virtuous and pious Men: but Christianity requires and enables all, to be such.
