the golden sayings-第15章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!
not to be thought to know anything。 If any should make account of
thee; distrust thyself。
CLIX
Remember that in life thou shouldst order thy conduct as at
a banquet。 Has any dish that is being served reached thee?
Stretch forth thy hand and help thyself modestly。 Doth it pass
thee by? Seek not to detain it。 Has it not yet come? Send not
forth thy desire to meet it; but wait until it reaches thee。 Deal
thus with children; thus with wife; thus with office; thus with
wealthand one day thou wilt be meet to share the Banquets of
the Gods。 But if thou dost not so much as touch that which is
placed before thee; but despisest it; then shalt thou not only
share the Banquets of the Gods; but their Empire also。
CLX
Remember that thou art an actor in a play; and of such sort
as the Author chooses; whether long or short。 If it be his good
pleasure to assign thee the part of a beggar; a ruler; or a
simple citizen; thine it is to play it fitly。 For thy business is
to act the part assigned thee; well: to choose it; is another's。
CLXI
Keep death and exile daily before thine eyes; with all else
that men deem terrible; but more especially Death。 Then wilt thou
never think a mean though; nor covet anything beyond measure。
CLXII
As a mark is not set up in order to be missed; so neither is
such a thing as natural evil produced in the World。
CLXIII
Piety toward the Gods; to be sure; consists chiefly in
thinking rightly concerning themthat they are; and that they
govern the Universe with goodness and justice; and that thou
thyself art appointed to obey them; and to submit under all
circumstances that arise; acquiescing cheerfully in whatever may
happen; sure it is brought to pass and accomplished by the most
Perfect Understanding。 Thus thou wilt never find fault with the
Gods; nor charge them with neglecting thee。
CLXIV
Lose no time in setting before you a certain stamp of
character and behaviour both when by yourself and in company with
others。 Let silence be your general rule; or say only what is
necessary and in few words。 We shall; however; when occassion
demands; enter into discourse sparingly。 avoiding common topics
as gladiators; horse…races; athletes; and the perpetual talk
about food and drink。 Above all avoid speaking of persons; either
in way of praise or blame; or comparison。
If you can; win over the conversation of your company to
what it should be by your own。 But if you find yourself cut off
without escape among strangers and aliens; be silent。
CLXV
Laughter should not be much; nor frequent; nor unrestrained。
CLXVI
Refuse altogether to take an oath if you can; if not; as far
as may be。
CLXVII
Banquets of the unlearned and of them that are without;
avoid。 But if you have occasion to take part in them; let not
your attention be relaxed for a moment; lest you slip after all
into evil ways。 For you may rest assured that be a man ever so
pure himself; he cannot escape defilement if his associates are
impure。
CLXVIII
Take what relates to the body as far as the bare use
warrantsas meat; drink; raiment; house and servants。 But all
that makes for show and luxury reject。
CLXIX
If you are told that such an one speaks ill of you; make no
defence against what was said; but answer; He surely knew not my
other faults; else he would not have mentioned these only!
CLXX
When you visit any of those in power; bethink yourself that
you will not find him in: that you may not be admitted: that the
door may be shut in your face: that he may not concern himself
about you。 If with all this; it is your duty to go; bear what
happens; and never say to yourself; It was not worth the trouble!
For that would smack of the foolish and unlearned who suffer
outward things to touch them。
CLXXI
In company avoid frequent and undue talk about your own
actions and dangers。 However pleasant it may be to you to enlarge
upon the risks you have run; others may not find such pleasure in
listening to your adventures。 Avoid provoking laughter also: it
is a habit from which one easily slides into the ways of the
foolish; and apt to diminish the respect which your neighbors
feel for you。 To border on coarse talk is also dangerous。 On such
occasions; if a convenient opportunity offer; rebuke the speaker。
If not; at least by relapsing into silence; colouring; and
looking annoyed; show that you are displeased with the subject。
CLXXII
When you have decided that a thing ought to be done; and are
doing it; never shun being seen doing it; even though the
multitude should be likely to judge the matter amiss。 For if you
are not acting rightly; shun the act itself; if rightly; however;
why fear misplaced censure?
CLXXIII
It stamps a man of mean capacity to spend much time on the
things of the body; as to be long over bodily exercises; long
over eating; long over drinking; long over other bodily
functions。 Rather should these things take the second place;
while all your care is directed to the understanding。
CLXXIV
Everything has two handles; one by which it may be borne;
the other by which it may not。 If your brother sin against you
lay not hold of it by the handle of injustice; for by that it may
not be borne: but rather by this; that he is your brother; the
comrade of your youth; and thus you will lay hold on it so that
it may be borne。
CLXXV
Never call yourself a Philosopher nor talk much among the
unlearned about Principles; but do that which follows from them。
Thus at a banquet; do not discuss how people ought to eat; but
eat as you ought。 Remember that Socrates thus entirely avoided
ostentation。 Men would come to him desiring to be recommended to
philosophers; and he would conduct them thither himselfso well
did he bear being overlooked。 Accordingly if any talk concerning
principles should arise among the unlearned; be you for the most
part silent。 For you run great risk of spewing up what you have
ill digested。 And when a man tells you that you know nothing and
you are not nettled at it; then you may be sure that you have
begun the work。
CLXXVI
When you have brought yourself to supply the needs of the
body at small cost; do not pique yourself on that; nor if you
drink only water; keep saying on each occasion; I drink water!
And if you ever want to practise endurance and toil; do so unto
yourself and not unto othersdo not embrace statues!
CLXXVII
When a man prides himself on being able to understand and
interpret the writings of Chrysippus; say to yourself:
If Chrysippus had not written obscurely; this fellow would
have had nothing to be proud of。 But what is it that I desire? To
understand Nature; and to follow her! Accordingly I ask who is
the Interpreter。 On hearing that it is Chrysippus; I go to him。
But it seems I do not understand what he wrote。 So I seek one to
interpret that。 So far there is nothing to pride myself on。 But
when I have found my interpreter; what remains is to put in
practice his instructions。 This itself is the only thing to be
proud of。 But if I admire the interpretation and that alone; what
else have I turned out but a mere commentator instead of a lover
of wisdom?except indeed that I happen to be interpreting
Chrysippus instead of Homer。 So when any one says to me; Prithee;
read me Chrysippus; I am more inclined to blush; when I cannot
show my deeds to be in harmony and accordance with his sayings。
CLXXVIII
At feasts; remember that you are entertaining two guests;
body and soul。 What you give to the body; you presently lose;
what you give to the soul; you keep for ever。
CLXXIX
At meals; see to it that tho