Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers

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