Thursday 17 August 2017

Epictetus - 29 (From the Fragments)

From: The Golden Sayings of Epictetus (translated by Hastings Crossley) - from Project Gutenberg.


Fragments:

IV
Crows pick out the eyes of the dead, when the dead have no longer need of them; but flatterers mar the soul of the living, and her eyes they blind.

IX
Give me by all means the shorter and nobler life, instead of one that is longer but of less account!

XI
Of pleasures, those which occur most rarely give the most delight.

XII
Exceed due measure, and the most delightful things become the least delightful.

XV
No man is free who is not master of himself.

XVI
A ship should not ride on a single anchor, nor life on a single hope.

XVII
Fortify thyself with contentment: that is an impregnable stronghold.

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 God more often than thou breathest.

XX
Choose the life that is noblest, for custom can make it sweet to thee.

XXI
Let thy speech of God be renewed day by day, aye, rather than thy meat and drink.