Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers

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