EPICTETUS. DISCOURSES. Book iii. §8. ¶1.
Friday
January 18
IN the same manner as we exercise ourselves against sophistical questions, we should exercise
ourselves likewise in relation to such appearances
as every day occur, for these two offer
questions to us. Such a one's son is dead.
What do you think of it? Answer: it is independent
on choice, it is not an evil. — Such a
one is disinherited by his father. What do you
think of it? It is independent on choice, it is
not an evil. — Caesar hath condemned him. This
is independent on choice, it is not an evil. — He
hath been afflicted by it. This is dependent on
choice, it is an evil. — He hath supported it bravely.
This is dependent on choice, it is a good.
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The earth is not evil for having an earthquake that effected Haiti. It is just being true to its nature. How people are reacting to Haiti, looting, etc. is evil. How people are reacting to Haiti, charitable donations, helping rescue survivors, etc. is good.
ReplyDeleteA Hard truth, but true none the less.
ReplyDeleteLife, as the saying goes, quite often does cause lemons to be around us. It is not a "conscious" decision to have hardships in our life... they happen to everyone. We can choose to have the circumstances destroy us or cause us to be "vicious" or we can choose to act in a manner that is exemplary to the best of humanity. We can make lemonade from the lemons and be an example to others of how to live the hard days in life with character, perseverance and charity to our fellow humans around us.
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