found that these assertions are the necessary consequences of the premises from which they start; that perhaps these paradoxes are not so paradoxical after all; and that although they may appear at first sight to revolt the common sense of mankind, they are not altogether irreconcilable with reason and with truth. Of these paradoxes it may be sufficient if I make mention of three.
10. Among the paradoxes or lofty assertions of the Stoics, there was one to the effect that nothing could happen contrary to the will of the wise man. Now that position, from what we know of their ideal wise man, is perfectly intelligible, for the highest endeavour of the wise man is to conform himself to the divine will; and therefore whatever he sees to be inevitable, that is, to be manifestly appointed by the supreme will, becomes to him the object of his cheerful acquiescence, or rather of his desire. Whatever his reason told him was ordained by God, to that his will conformed, because what he sought for and desired above all things was the accomplishment of the divine will. With this will his will worked in accordance, and therefore, inasmuch as reason assured him that nothing that happened happened contrary to the will of God, but that everything took place in accordance to that will; so nothing that happened could happen contrary to the wise man's will, inasmuch as his will had been brought into conformity with the will and designs of Omnipotence. The
