the golden sayings-第12章
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One has a shoulder out of joint; another an abscess: a third
suffers from an issue; a fourth from pains in the head。 And am I
then to sit down and treat you to pretty sentiments and empty
flourishes; so that you may applaud me and depart; with neither
shoulder; nor head; nor issue; nor abscess a whit the better for
your visit? Is it then for this that young men are to quit their
homes; and leave parents; friends; kinsmen and substance to mouth
out Bravo to your empty phrases!
CXXII
If any be unhappy; let him remember that he is unhappy by
reason of himself alone。 For God hath made all men to enjoy
felicity and constancy of good。
CXXIII
Shall we never wean ourselvesshall we never heed the
teachings of Philosophy (unless perchance they have been sounding
in our ears like and enchanter's drone):
This World is one great City; and one if the substance
whereof it is fashioned: a certain period indeed there needs must
be; while these give place to those; some must perish for others
to succeed; some move and some abide: yet all is full of friends
first God; then Men; whom Nature hath bound by ties of kindred
each to each。
CXXIV
Nor did the hero weep and lament at leaving his children
orphans。 For he knew that no man is an orphan; but it is the
Father that careth for all continually and for evermore。 Not by
mere report had he heard that the Supreme God is the Father of
men: seeing that he called Him Father believing Him so to be; and
in all that he did had ever his eyes fixed upon Him。 Wherefore in
whatsoever place he was; there is was given him to live happily。
CXXV
Know you not that the thing is a warfare? one man's duty is
to mount guard; another must go out to reconnoitre; a third to
battle; all cannot be in one place; nor would it even be
expedient。 But you; instead of executing you Commander's orders;
complain if aught harsher than usual is enjoined; not
understanding to what condition you are bringing the army; so far
as in you lies。 If all were to follow your example; none would
dig a trench; none would cast a rampart around the camp; none
would keep watch; or expose himself to danger; but all turn out
useless for the service of war。 。 。 。 Thus it is here also。 Every
life is a warfare; and that long and various。 You must fulfil a
solider's duty; and obey each order at your commander's nod: aye;
if it be possible; divine what he would have done; for between
that Command and this; there is no comparison; either in might or
in excellence。
CXXVI
Have you again forgotten? Know you not that a good man does
nothing for appearance' sake; but for the sake of having done
right? 。 。 。
〃Is there no reward then?〃
Reward! do you seek any greater reward for a good man than
doing what is right and just? Yet at the Great Games you look for
nothing else; there the victor's crown you deem enough。 Seems it
to you so small a thing and worthless; to be a good man; and
happy therein?
CXXVII
It befits thee not to be unhappy by reason of any; but
rather to be happy by reason of all men; and especially by reason
of God; who formed us to this end。
CXXVIII
What; did Diogenes love no man; he that was so gentle; so
true a friend to men as cheerfully to endure such bodily
hardships for the common weal of all mankind? But how loved he
them? As behoved a minister of the Supreme God; alike caring for
men and subject unto God。
CXXIX
I am by Nature made for my own good; not for my own evil。
CXXX
Remind thyself that he whom thou lovest is mortalthat what
thou lovest is not thine own; it is given thee for the present;
not irrevocably nor for ever; but even as a fig or a bunch of
grapes at the appointed season of the year。 。 。 。
〃But these are words of evil omen。〃。 。 。
What; callest thou aught of evil omen save that which
signifies some evil thing? Cowardice is a word of evil omen; if
thou wilt; and meanness of spirit; and lamentation and mourning;
and shamelessness。 。 。 。
But do not; I pray thee; call of evil omen a word that is
significant of any natural thing:as well call of evil omen the
reaping of the corn; for that means the destruction of the ears;
though not of the World!as well say that the fall of the leaf
is of evil omen; that the dried fig should take the place of the
green; that raisins should be made from grapes。 All these are
changes from a former state into another; not destruction; but an
ordered economy; a fixed administration。 Such is leaving home; a
change of small account; such is Death; a greater change; from
what now is; not to what is not; but to ehat is not now。
〃Shall I then no longer be?〃
Not so; thou wilt be; but something different; of which the
World now hath need。 For thou too wert born not when thou
chosest; but when the World had need of thee。
CXXXI
Wherefore a good man and true; bearing in mind who he is and
whence he came and from whom he sprang; cares only how he may
fill his post with due discipline and obedience to God。
Wilt thou that I continue to live? Then will I live; as one
that is free and noble; as Thou wouldst have me。 For Thow hast
made me free from hindrance in what appertaineth unto me。 But
hast Thou no further need of me? I thank Thee! Up to this hour
have I stayed for Thy sake and none other's: and now in obedience
to Thee I depart。
〃How dost thou depart?〃
Again I say; as Thoun wouldst have me; as one that is free;
as Thy servant; as one whose ear is open unto what Thou dost
enjoin; what Thou dost forbid。
CXXXII
Whatsoever place or post Thou assignest me; sooner will I
die a thousand deaths; as Socrates said; then depart it。 And
where wilt Thou have be me? At Rome of Athens? At Thebes or on a
desert island? Only remember me there! Shouldst Thou send me
where man cannot live as Nature would have him; I will depart;
not in disobedience to Thee; but as though Thou wert sounding the
signal for my retreat: I am not deserting Theefar be that from
me! I only perceive that thou needest me no longer。
CXXXIII
If you are in Gyaros; do not let your mind dwell upon life
at Rome; and all the pleasures it offered to you when living
there; and all that would attend your return。 Rather be intent on
thishow he that lives in Gyaros may live in Gyaros like a man
of spirit。 And if you are at Rome; do not let your mind dwell
upon the life at Athens; but study only how to live at Rome。
Finally; in the room of all other pleasures put thisthe
pleasure which springs from concious obedience to God。
CXXXIV
To a good man there is no evil; either in life or death。 And
if God supply not food; has He not; as a wise Commander; sounded
the signal for retreat and nothing more? I obey; I follow
speaking good of my Commander; and praising His acts。 For at His
good pleasure I came; and I depart when it pleases Him; and while
I was yet alive that was my work; to sing praises unto God!
CXXXV
Reflect that the chief source of all evils to Man; and of
baseness and cowardice; is not death; but the fear of death。
Against this fear then; I pray you; harden yourself; to this
let all your reasonings; your exercises; your reading tend。 Then
shall you know that thus alone are men set free。
CXXXVI
He is free who lives as he wishes to live; to whom none can
do violence; none hinder or compel; whose impulses are unimpeded;
whose desires are attain their purpose; who falls not into what
he would avoid。 Whe then would live in error?None。 Who would
live deceived and prone to fall; unjust; intemperate; in abject
whining at his lot?None。 Then doth no wicked man live as he
would; and therefore neither is he free。
CXXXVI