"Discourses" - читать интересную книгу автора (Epictetus)

meditated on (and you will then see that all these things are from
God). How long, then, is it fit to observe these precepts from God,
and not to break up the play? As long as the play is continued with
propriety. In the Saturnalia a king is chosen by lot, for it has
been the custom to play at this game. The king commands: "Do you
drink," "Do you mix the wine," "Do you sing," "Do you go," "Do you
come." I obey that the game may be broken up through me. But if he
says, "Think that you are in evil plight": I answer, "I do not think
so"; and who compel me to think so? Further, we agreed to play
Agamemnon and Achilles. He who is appointed to play Agamemnon says
to me, "Go to Achilles and tear from him Briseis." I go. He says,
"Come," and I come.

For as we behave in the matter of hypothetical arguments, so ought
we to do in life. "Suppose it to be night." I suppose that it is
night. "Well then; is it day?" No, for I admitted the hypothesis
that it was night. "Suppose that you think that it is night?"
Suppose that I do. "But also think that it is night." That is not
consistent with the hypothesis. So in this case also: "Suppose that
you are unfortunate." Well, suppose so. "Are you then unhappy?" Yes.
"Well, then, are you troubled with an unfavourable demon?" Yes. "But
think also that you are in misery." This is not consistent with the
hypothesis; and Another forbids me to think so.

How long then must we obey such orders? As long as it is profitable;
and this means as long as I maintain that which is becoming and
consistent. Further, some men are sour and of bad temper, and they
say, "I cannot sup with this man to be obliged to hear him telling
daily how he fought in Mysia: 'I told you, brother, how I ascended the
hill: then I began to be besieged again.'" But another says, "I prefer
to get my supper and to hear him talk as much as he likes." And do you
compare these estimates: only do nothing in a depressed mood, nor as
one afflicted, nor as thinking that you are in misery, for no man
compels you to that. Has it smoked in the chamber? If the smoke is
moderate, I will stay; if it is excessive, I go out: for you must
always remember this and hold it fast, that the door is open. Well,
but you say to me, "Do not live in Nicopolis." I will not live
there. "Nor in Athens." I will not live in Athens. "Nor in Rome." I
will not live in Rome. "Live in Gyarus." I will live in Gyarus, but it
seems like a great smoke to live in Gyarus; and I depart to the
place where no man will hinder me from living, for that dwelling-place
is open to all; and as to the last garment, that is the poor body,
no one has any power over me beyond this. This was the reason why
Demetrius said to Nero, "You threaten me with death, but nature
threatens you." If I set my admiration on the poor body, I have
given myself up to be a slave: if on my little possessions, I also
make myself a slave: for I immediately make it plain with what I may
be caught; as if the snake draws in his head, I tell you to strike
that part of him which he guards; and do you he assured that
whatever part you choose to guard, that part your master will