λ. Do not attend everybody's recitations[1] nor be easily induced to go to them. But if you do go, preserve (yet without making yourself offensive) your gravity and tranquillity.
μ. When you are about to meet any person, especially if he be one of those considered to be high in rank, put before yourself what Socrates or Zeno would have done in such a case. And then you will not fail to deal fittingly with the occasion.
ν. When you are going to see one of those who are great in power, imagine that you will not find him at home, that you will be shut out, that the doors will be banged in your face, that he will take no notice of you. And if in spite of these things it be right for you to go, then go, and bear whatever may happen, and never say to yourself I did not deserve such treatment.[2] For that is sensual, and shows
- ↑ 'Such recitations were common at Rome, when authors read their works and invited persons to attend' (Long). Perhaps Epictetus disliked the flattery and self-laudation which these occasions would give rise to.
- ↑ Schweighäuser gives 'Non erat tanto'—'it was not worth it.' I have followed Politian's version, 'Talia non merebar.' The Greek is οὐκ ἦν τοσαύτου.
