Ethics 243
conflict between the Jews and the Syrians and Egyptians and Romans is
not about whether the sacred must be honoured above all else and pursued
in all instances, but about whether this particular thing, eating pork, is
sacred or not.Epictetus Discourses 2.11.13, 16 [11-105]
- Consider the starting point of philosophy: a perception of the
mutual conflict among men and a search for the cause of the conflict;
[plus] the rejection and distrust of mere opinion, an investigation of
opinion to see if it is right, and the discovery of some canon, like scales
which we discover for [measuring] heavy things and the ruler which [we
discover for distinguishing] what is straight and crooked .... - So is there no canon here higher than mere opinion? But how is
it possible for what is most vital to men to be undeterminable and
undiscoverable?
Seneca, On Peace of Mind 13.2-14.2 [11-106]
13.2. For a man who does many things frequently puts himself in
fortune's power. But the safest course is to tempt fortune rarely, and
always to be mindful of her and never to put any trust in her promises.
Say "I shall set sail unless something intervenes" and "I shall become
praetor unless something hinders me" and "my enterprise will be success-
ful unless something interferes". 13.3. This is why we say that nothing
happens to a wise man contrary to his expectations; we free him not
from the misfortunes but from the blunders of mankind, nor do all these
things turn out as he has wished but as he has thought. But his first
thought has been that something might obstruct his plans. Then, too,
the suffering that comes to the mind from the frustration of desire must
necessarily be much lighter if you have not certainly promised it success.
14.1. We ought also to make ourselves adaptable, so that we do not
become too fond of the plans we have formed and we should pass readily
to the condition to which chance has led us and not dread shifting either
purpose or positions, provided we avoid fickleness, a vice which poses a
most grave threat to mental equilibrium. For obstinacy, from which
fortune often wrests some concession, must needs be anxious and un-
happy, and fickleness is much worse if it does not restrain itself. Both
are hostile to peace of mind: being unable to make any change and being
unable to endure anything. 14.2. At all events the mind must be withdrawn
from all externals into itself. Let it trust in itself, rejoice in itself, esteem
its own possessions, retreat as much as it can from things not its own,
devote itself to itself, feel no damage and even take setbacks in a generous