to children, to a wife, to public posts, to riches, and you
           will eventually be a worthy partner of the feasts of the gods.
           And if you don't even take the things which are set before
           you, but are able even to reject them, then you will not only
           be a partner at the feasts of the gods, but also of their
           empire. For, by doing this, Diogenes, Heraclitus and others
           like them, deservedly became, and were called, divine.

           16. When you see anyone weeping in grief because his son has
           gone abroad, or is dead, or because he has suffered in his
           affairs, be careful that the appearance may not misdirect you.
           Instead, distinguish within your own mind, and be prepared to
           say, "It's not the accident that distresses this person.,
           because it doesn't distress another person; it is the judgment
           which he makes about it." As far as words go, however, don't
           reduce yourself to his level, and certainly do not moan with
           him. Do not moan inwardly either.

           17. Remember that you are an actor in a drama, of such a kind
           as the author pleases to make it. If short, of a short one; if
           long, of a long one. If it is his pleasure you should act a
           poor man, a cripple, a governor, or a private person, see that
           you act it naturally. For this is your business, to act well
           the character assigned you; to choose it is another's.

           18. When a raven happens to croak unluckily, don't allow the
           appearance hurry you away with it, but immediately make the
           distinction to yourself, and say, "None of these things are
           foretold to me; but either to my paltry body, or property, or
           reputation, or children, or wife. But to me all omens are
           lucky, if I will. For whichever of these things happens, it is
           in my control to derive advantage from it."

           19. You may be unconquerable, if you enter into no combat in
           which it is not in your own control to conquer. When,
           therefore, you see anyone eminent in honors, or power, or in
           high esteem on any other account, take heed not to be hurried
           away with the appearance, and to pronounce him happy; for, if
           the essence of good consists in things in our own control,
           there will be no room for envy or emulation. But, for your
           part, don't wish to be a general, or a senator, or a consul,
           but to be free; and the only way to this is a contempt of
           things not in our own control.

           20. Remember, that not he who gives ill language or a blow
           insults, but the principle which represents these things as
           insulting. When, therefore, anyone provokes you, be assured
           that it is your own opinion which provokes you. Try,
           therefore, in the first place, not to be hurried away with the
           appearance. For if you once gain time and respite, you will
           more easily command yourself.

           21. Let death and exile, and all other things which appear
           terrible be daily before your eyes, but chiefly death, and you
           win never entertain any abject thought, nor too eagerly covet
           anything.

           22. If you have an earnest desire of attaining to philosophy,
           prepare yourself from the very first to be laughed at, to be
           sneered by the multitude, to hear them say,." He is returned
           to us a philosopher all at once," and " Whence this
           supercilious look?" Now, for your part, don't have a
           supercilious look indeed; but keep steadily to those things
           which appear best to you as one appointed by God to this
           station. For remember that, if you adhere to the same point,
           those very persons who at first ridiculed will afterwards
           admire you. But if you are conquered by them, you will incur a
           double ridicule.

           23. If you ever happen to turn your attention to externals, so
           as to wish to please anyone, be assured that you have ruined
           your scheme of life. Be contented, then, in everything with
           being a philosopher; and, if you wish to be thought so
           likewise by anyone, appear so to yourself, and it will suffice
           you.

           24. Don't allow such considerations as these distress you. "I
           will live in dishonor, and be nobody anywhere." For, if
           dishonor is an evil, you can no more be involved in any evil
           by the means of another, than be engaged in anything base. Is
           it any business of yours, then, to get power, or to be
           admitted to an entertainment? By no means. How, then, after
           all, is this a dishonor? And how is it true that you will be
           nobody anywhere, when you ought to be somebody in those things
           only which are in your own control, in which you may be of the
           greatest consequence? "But my friends will be unassisted." --
           What do you mean by unassisted? They will not have money from
           you, nor will you make them Roman citizens. Who told you,
           then, that these are among the things in our own control, and
           not the affair of others? And who can give to another the
           things which he has not himself? "Well, but get them, then,
           that we too may have a share." If I can get them with the
           preservation of my own honor and fidelity and greatness of
           mind, show me the way and I will get them; but if you require
           me to lose my own proper good that you may gain what is not
           good, consider how inequitable and foolish you are. Besides,
           which would you rather have, a sum of money, or a friend of
           fidelity and honor? Rather assist me, then, to gain this
           character than require me to do those things by which I may
           lose it. Well, but my country, say you, as far as depends on