Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers
Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers
Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers
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"<br />
"<br />
count what others long<br />
cause <strong>of</strong> externals;<br />
De Providentia<br />
for. You do not shine be<br />
it is the kingdom within you that<br />
is your highest good. Thus does the world disdain<br />
what is on the outside because happy in<br />
plation <strong>of</strong> itself; within you have I placed<br />
the contem<br />
all real<br />
good; not to need happiness is your happiness."<br />
5. But many sad occurrences take place, things<br />
from which we shrink in terror, <strong>and</strong> which are hard<br />
to<br />
bear."<br />
Because I am not able to<br />
ward them <strong>of</strong>f<br />
from you, I have armed you against all changes <strong>of</strong><br />
fortune. Endure bravely; in this you may surpass<br />
God : He is exempt from suffering, you are superior to<br />
it. Contemn poverty; no one lives so poor as he is<br />
born. Contemn pain; either it will end or you. Con<br />
temn fortune; I have given to it no weapon with<br />
which to wound the soul. Contemn death; it either<br />
ends your existence or transfers it.<br />
6. Before all things, I took care that no one should<br />
keep you here against your will; the way for your<br />
departure is open. If you do not want to fight, you<br />
can run away. Therefore, with all the restrictions I<br />
have placed upon you, I have made nothing easier<br />
for you than death. Only look <strong>and</strong> you will see how<br />
short <strong>and</strong> easy is the way to liberty. I have made<br />
out <strong>of</strong> the<br />
the way shorter for those who wish to go<br />
world than for those who are entering it; besides, des<br />
tiny would have had great power over you, if it were<br />
as hard for a man to die as to be born.<br />
7. Every moment <strong>of</strong> time, every place, can teach<br />
you how easy it is to quit nature s service <strong>and</strong> to re-<br />
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