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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&lt;J5<br />
De Providentia<br />
ingly the gods follow the same method with good<br />
men that teachers follow with good pupils they re<br />
quire the hardest labor from those <strong>of</strong> whom they<br />
cherish the highest hopes. Dost thou believe that it<br />
is out <strong>of</strong> hatred for their children that the Lacedae<br />
monians try, by public scourgings, what stuff they<br />
are made <strong>of</strong>? Their own fathers exhort them to bear<br />
bravely their flagellations, <strong>and</strong> ask them, when bleed<br />
ing <strong>and</strong> half dead, to pr<strong>of</strong>fer unflinchingly their<br />
wounds for fresh wounds.<br />
11. Why is it strange<br />
if God sends severe trials<br />
upon noble spirits? a test <strong>of</strong> one s courage is never<br />
an easy matter. Is it<br />
destiny that scourges <strong>and</strong><br />
lacerates us? let us endure it; tis not wanton cru<br />
elty, it is a contest; the <strong>of</strong>tener we enter it, the<br />
stronger we shall become. The solidest part <strong>of</strong> the<br />
body, frequent use has made so. We must be sub<br />
jected to the buffetings<br />
<strong>of</strong> fortune in order that in<br />
this way we may become callous to it. Little by<br />
little, fortune makes us a match for itself; contempt<br />
<strong>of</strong> dangers results from <strong>of</strong>ten braving them. In this<br />
way sailors inure their bodies to the sea; the h<strong>and</strong>s<br />
<strong>of</strong> the husb<strong>and</strong>man are calloused; the arms <strong>of</strong> the<br />
soldier are strong from hurling javelins; the<br />
limbs <strong>of</strong><br />
runners are agile. That part <strong>of</strong> everybody is the<br />
strongest that has exercised the most.<br />
12. The soul acquires the strength to brave mis<br />
fortune by patient endurance; what it can effect in<br />
us thou mayst know, if thou dost but consider what<br />
hardship does for those peoples that go about with-