Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers

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De Providentia
death?
"They are sent into exile." Why not, when
they sometimes leave their country, voluntarily, never
to return? They are put to death."
Why not, when
they sometimes lay violent hands on themselves?
Why do they suffer many hardships?" That they
may teach others to suffer patiently; they are born to
be examples.
3. Think of (rod as speaking to them thus:
What
right have ye to complain of me, ye who take pleasure
in doing right? Other men I have encompassed
with seductive pleasures and their torpid souls I have
lulled into a long and delusive sleep; gold, silver and
ivory I have lavished upon them; yet at heart they are
good for nothing. Those men whom you look upon
as fortunate, if you regard them, not with respect to
what is external but what is
concealed, are wretched,
unclean, deformed, adorned on the outside after
the similitude of their own walls. Their good for
tune is not substantial and unalloyed;
it is a mere
crust and a thin one at that.
4.
Accordingly, as long as they are allowed to
stand and to show themselves as they wish to appear,
they make a brilliant and imposing display; but when
something occurs that disarranges their plans and
discloses their true character, then it becomes apparent
how real and deep their foulness. To you I have given
a genuine, an abiding good; the more one turns it
about and looks at it from every side, the greater and
better it
appears. I have given you the strength to
contemn what other men fear; to make of little ac-
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