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Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers

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De Providentia<br />

tlinn n &quot;Regulup,<br />

the same person, even though he<br />

might not openly admit it, would also rather be born<br />

a Terentia. Do you pronounce Socrates unfortunate<br />

because ho drained the executioner s cup as if it had<br />

been the draught <strong>of</strong> immortality, <strong>and</strong> discoursed about<br />

death up to the moment it overtook him? &quot;Was his<br />

lot an unhappy one because his blood congealed <strong>and</strong><br />

his vital force stopped by the gradually advancing<br />

rigor <strong>of</strong><br />

death?<br />

11. How much more is he to be envied than those<br />

who are served from goblets studded with gems, for<br />

whom a male prostitute, accustomed to submit to<br />

every kind <strong>of</strong> abuse, whose virility is gone<br />

or at least<br />

doubtful, dissolves the snow that floats in a golden<br />

chalice? Whatever they drink they vomit up, to<br />

their chagrin, <strong>and</strong> taste again mixed with bile; but he<br />

willingly <strong>and</strong> with joy drains the poisonous draught.<br />

For Cato it is sufficient that the unanimous verdict <strong>of</strong><br />

mankind has raised him to the pinacle <strong>of</strong> felicity;<br />

him destiny selected as one who was fitted to contend<br />

against everything that is to be dreaded.<br />

12. Is the enmity <strong>of</strong> the powers that be a serious<br />

matter? let him be opposed at the same time by<br />

Pompey. Caesar, Crassus. Is it hard to bear when<br />

one is less honored than worse men? let him be sacri<br />

ficed for Vatinius. Is it a hard thing to be involved<br />

in civil wars? throughout the whole world let him<br />

fight for the good cause, equally renowned for his<br />

misfortunes as for his bravery. Is it hard to take<br />

one s own life? let him do it. What do I wish to<br />

90

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