SINCE, at all events, one must die, one must necessarily be found doing something, either
tilling, or digging, or trading, or serving a consulship,
or sick of an indigestion or a flux. At what
employment, then, would you have death find you?
For my part, I would have it be some humane,
beneficent, public-spirited, gallant action. But if
I cannot be found doing any such great things,
yet, at least, I would be doing what I am incapable
of being restrained from, what is given me to
do, correcting myself, improving that faculty which
makes use of the appearances of things, to procure
tranquillity, and render to the several relations of
life their due; and, if I am so fortunate, advancing
to the third topic, a security of judging right.
If death overtakes me in such a situation, it is
enough for me if I can stretch out my hands to
God and say,
"The opportunities which Thou hast
given me of comprehending and following the
rules of Thy administration I have not neglected.
As far as in me lay, I have not dishonoured Thee.
See how I have used my perceptions, how my preconceptions.
Have I at any time found fault with
Thee? Have I been discontented at Thy dispensations,
or wished them otherwise? Have I transgressed
the relations of life? I thank Thee that
Thou hast brought me into being. I am satisfied
with the time that I have enjoyed the things whxh
Thou hast given me. Receive them back again,
and assign them to whatever place Thou wilt; for
they were all Thine, and Thou gavest them to me."
EPICTETUS. DISCOURSES. Book iv. §9. ¶2.
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