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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De Providentia<br />
We see athletes, whose purpose is to develop their<br />
bodily strength, matching<br />
themselves with the most<br />
doughty antagonists, <strong>and</strong> requiring those who pre<br />
pare them for a contest to use all their strength<br />
against their pupils; they allow themselves to be<br />
smitten <strong>and</strong> buffeted, <strong>and</strong> if<br />
thay do not find suitable<br />
single antagonists they pit themselves against several<br />
at the same time.<br />
3. When virtue has no antagonist it becomes en<br />
ervated; then only does it appear what its true char<br />
acter is, how strong, how virile it is when patient<br />
endurance shows what it can accomplish. You surely<br />
know that good men must do the same thing, to the<br />
end that they may not fear what is hard or formidable,<br />
nor complain about fate. Whatever happens, let the<br />
good bear it patiently <strong>and</strong> turn it to good uses. Not<br />
what we bear but how we bear it, is the important<br />
thing. Do you not see how differently fathers <strong>and</strong><br />
mothers show their love for their children? The<br />
former want their sons to be aroused early in order<br />
that they may betake themselves to their studies;<br />
their vacations even they would not have them pass<br />
in idleness, <strong>and</strong> they draw sweat <strong>and</strong> sometimes even<br />
tears from the youths; but mothers want to fondle<br />
them on their bosom, keep them in the shade; they<br />
would never have them weep, never be sad. never un<br />
dergo toil.<br />
4. God has a father s feelings toward good men<br />
<strong>and</strong> ardently loves them, <strong>and</strong> says: "By labors, sor<br />
rows, privations, let them be tried in order that they