BOOK XII
body, his very soul came forth from Him[1]; and this, that everything is but opinion[2]; and this, that it is only the present moment that a man lives and the present moment only that he loses.[3]
27. Let thy mind dwell continually on those who have shewn unmeasured resentment at things, who have been conspicuous above others for honours or disasters or enmities or any sort of special lot. Then consider, Where is all that now?[4] Smoke and dust and a legend or not a legend even.[5] Take any instance of the kind—Fabius Catullinus in the country, Lusius Lupus in his gardens, Stertinius at Baiae, Tiberius in Capreae, and Velius Rufus—in fact a craze for any thing whatever arrogantly[6] indulged. How worthless is everything so inordinately desired! How much more worthy of a philosopher is it for a man without any artifice to shew himself in the sphere assigned to him just, temperate, and a follower of the Gods. For the conceit that is conceited of its freedom from conceit is the most insufferable of all.[7]
28. If any ask, Where hast thou seen the Gods or how hast thou satisfied thyself of their existence that thou art so devout a worshipper?[8] I answer: In the first place, they are even visible to the eyes.[9] In the next, I have not seen my own soul either, yet I honour it.[10] So then from the continual proofs of their power I am assured that Gods also exist and I reverence them.
- ↑ ii. 3.
- ↑ xii. 8, 22 etc.
- ↑ ii. 14; xii. 3.
- ↑ vi. 47; viii. 25; x. 31.
- ↑ cp. Pers. v. 132: cinis et manes et fabula fies.
- ↑ For οἴησις see Epict. i. 8, § 6.
- ↑ See the story of Plato and Diogenes, Diog. Laert. vi. 2, § 4.
- ↑ cp. Dio 71. 34 § 2.
- ↑ The stars were Gods in the Stoic view. cp. above viii. 19, and Sen. de Benef. iv. 8.
- ↑ Theoph. Ad Autol. i. 2 and 5.
