BOLDLY make a desperate push, man, as the saying is, for prosperity, for freedom, for magnanimity. Lift up your head at last, as free from slavery. Dare to look up to God and say, “Make use of me for the future as Thou wilt. I am of the same mind; I am equal with Thee. I refuse nothing which seems good to Thee. Lead me whither Thou wilt. Clothe me in whatever dress Thou wilt. Is it Thy will, that I should be in a public or a private condition, dwell here or be banished, be poor or rich? Under all these circumstances I will make Thy defence to men. I will show what the nature of everything is." No. Rather sit alone in a warm place, and wait till your mamma comes to feed you.
EPICTETUS. DISCOURSES. Book ii. §16. ¶4
I like the first part about Boldly standing up and being Bold about being virtuous. This isn't some milksop virtuousness, this is radical virtuousness.
ReplyDeleteWow, if this isn't a diatribe against the "welfare state" I am not sure what would be!
ReplyDeleteStand up and take thy destiny, whatever that may be, on the chin. Live virtuously despite what life may bring, well within the public eye. Do whatever you can to move your life forward without waiting for "Mamma" to take care of you. In our modern day Momma could represent society or the government?
Boldly step up to your life. Seek out opportunities for courage, justice, wisdom, moderation and compassion. Work for prosperity, for freedom, for magnanimity. Lift up your head, for you are freed from slavery. Dare to look up and say, “I will not sit idle, waiting for someone to feed me." - Lessons from Epictetus
ReplyDelete"Lift up your head at last, as free from slavery... I am of the same mind; I am equal with Thee."
ReplyDeleteI AM EQUAL WITH THEE.
Sadly to large a percentage of the population finds this sentiment sacrilegious. Whatever that means.
Are we abject slaves, wretched and unworthy, doing penance in life
Or, are we free?
(Forgive me, my friends, if this sounds a rant.)
When we are at our best, utilizing reason --compassion, magnanimity, justice, self-control, & courage --are we not equal to anything that is divine?
@ Scott - Hear! Hear!!
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