THE will of nature may be learned from those
things in which we do not differ from each
other. As, when our neighbour's boy hath broken
a cup, or the like, we are presently ready to say,
"These are things that will happen." Be assured,
then, that when your own cup likewise is broken,
you ought to be affected just as when another's cup
was broken. Transfer this, in like manner, to
greater things. Is the child or wife of another
dead? There is no one who would not say,
"This
is an accident common to man." But if anyone's
own child happens to die, it is presently,
"Alas!
how wretched am I!" But it should be remembered
how we are affected in hearing the
same thing concerning others.
EPICTETUS. MANUAL. 26.
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