The Golden Sayings of Epictetus Part 19

XVIII

No man who is a lover of money, of pleasure, of glory, is likewise a lover of Men; but only he that is a lover of whatsoever things are fair and good.

XIX

Think of G.o.d more often than thou breathest.

XX

Choose the life that is n.o.blest, for custom can make it sweet to thee.

XXI

Let thy speech of G.o.d be renewed day by day, aye, rather than thy meat and drink.

XXII

Even as the Sun doth not wait for prayers and incantations to rise, but shines forth and is welcomed by all: so thou also wait not for clapping of hands and shouts and praise to do thy duty; nay, do good of thine own accord, and thou wilt be loved like the Sun.

XXIII

Let no man think that he is loved by any who loveth none.

XXIV

If thou rememberest that G.o.d standeth by to behold and visit all that thou doest; whether in the body or in the soul, thou surely wilt not err in any prayer or deed; and thou shalt have G.o.d to dwell with thee.

Note.--Schweighuser's great edition collects 181 fragments attributed to Epictetus, of which but a few are certainly genuine. Some (as xxi., xxiv., above) bear the stamp of Pythagorean origin; others, though changed in form, may well be based upon Epictetean sayings. Most have been preserved in the Anthology of John of Stobi (Stobaeus), a Byzantine collector, of whom scarcely anything is known but that he probably wrote towards the end of the fifth century, and made his vast body of extracts from more than five hundred authors for his son's use. The best examination of the authenticity of the Fragments is Quaestiones Epicteteae, by R. Asmus, 1888. The above selection includes some of doubtful origin but intrinsic interest.--Crossley.

(APPENDIX B)

The Hymn of Cleanthes

Chiefest glory of deathless G.o.ds, Almighty for ever, Sovereign of Nature that rulest by law, what Name shall we give Thee?-- Blessed be Thou! for on Thee should call all things that are mortal.

For that we are Thine offspring; nay, all that in myriad motion Lives for its day on the earth bears one impress--Thy likeness--upon it.

Wherefore my song is of Thee, and I hymn thy power for ever.

Lo, the vast orb of the Worlds, round the Earth evermore as it rolleth, Feels Thee its Ruler and Guide, and owns Thy lordship rejoicing.

Aye, for Thy conquering hands have a servant of living fire-- Sharp is the bolt!--where it falls, Nature shrinks at the shock and doth shudder.

Thus Thou directest the Word universal that pulses through all things, Mingling its life with Lights that are great and Lights that are lesser, E'en as beseemeth its birth, High King through ages unending.

Nought is done that is done without Thee in the earth or the waters Or in the heights of heaven, save the deed of the fool and the sinner.

Thou canst make rough things smooth; at Thy voice, lo, jarring disorder Moveth to music, and Love is born where hatred abounded.

Thus hast Thou fitted alike things good and things evil together, That over all might reign one Reason, supreme and eternal; Though thereunto the hearts of the wicked be hardened and heedless-- Woe unto them!--for while ever their hands are grasping at good things, Blind are their eyes, yea, stopped are their ears to G.o.d's Law universal, Calling through wise disobedience to live the life that is n.o.ble.

This they mark not, but heedless of right, turn each to his own way, Here, a heart fired with ambition, in strife and straining unhallowed; There, thrusting honour aside, fast set upon getting and gaining; Others again given over to l.u.s.ts and dissolute softness, Working never G.o.d's Law, but that which wareth upon it.

Nay, but, O Giver of all things good, whose home is the dark cloud, Thou that wields Heaven's bolt, save men from their ignorance grievous; Scatter its night from their souls, and grant them to come to that Wisdom Wherewithal, sistered with Justice, Thou rulest and governest all things; That we, honoured by Thee, may requite Thee with worship and honour, Evermore praising thy works, as is meet for men that shall perish; Seeing that none, be he mortal or G.o.d, hath privilege n.o.bler Than without stint, without stay, to extol Thy Law universal.