Be assured that the essence of piety towards the
gods lies in this, to form right opinions concerning
them, as existing, and as governing the universe
justly and well. And fix yourself in this resolution, to
obey them, and yield to them, and willingly follow
[p. 2230]
them amidst all events, as being ruled by the most
perfect wisdom. For thus you will never find fault
with the gods, nor accuse them of neglecting you.
And it is not possible for this to be effected in any
other way than by withdrawing yourself from things
which are not within our own power, and by making
good or evil to consist only in those which are. For
if you suppose any other things to be either good or
evil, it is inevitable that, when you are disappointed
of what you wish, or incur what you would avoid, you
should reproach and blame their authors. For ever}
creature is naturally formed to flee and abhor things
that appear hurtful, and that which causes them; and
to pursue and admire those which appear beneficial,
and that which causes them. It is impracticable,
then, that one who supposes himself to be hurt
should rejoice in the person who, as he thinks, hurts
him; just as it is impossible to rejoice in the hurt
itself. Hence, also, a father is reviled by his son,
when he does not impart the things which seem to
be good; and this made Polynices and Eteocles mutually enemies, that empire seemed good to both. On
this account the husbandman reviles the gods; the
sailor, the merchant, or those who have lost wife or
child. For where our interest is, there too is piety
directed. So that whoever is careful to regulate his
desires and aversions as he ought is thus made careful of piety likewise. But it also becomes incumbent
on every one to offer libations and sacrifices and
[p. 2231]
first-fruits, according to the customs of his country,
purely, and not heedlessly nor negligently; not
avariciously, nor yet extravagantly.
The Works of Epictetus: His Discourses, in Four Books, the Enchiridion, and Fragments. Epictetus. Thomas Wentworth Higginson. translator. New York. Thomas Nelson and Sons. 1890.
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