Discourses, How We Ought to Use Divination

Epictetus — The Slave

My word is final and will not fail. This is how I will show myself to you: faithful, modest, noble, and unshaken by events. What, immortal too, free from aging and sickness? No. But I will die as a god should die. I will get sick as a god should get sick. This power I have. This I can do. But the rest I don't have, and I can't do it. I will show you the strength of a philosopher. What kind of strength is this? A desire that is never disappointed. An aversion that never hits what it's trying to avoid. Proper action. Careful purpose. Judgment that isn't reckless. This is what you will see.

Epictetus — The Slave Original

Irrevocable is my word and shall not fail.—Iliad, i., 526. Such will I show myself to you, faithful, modest, noble, free from perturbation. What, and immortal, too, except from old age, and from sickness? No, but dying as becomes a god, sickening as becomes a god. This power I possess; this I can do. But the rest I do not possess, nor can I do. I will show the nerves (strength) of a philosopher. What nerves are these? A desire never disappointed, an aversion which never falls on that which it would avoid, a proper pursuit ([Greek: hormaen]), a diligent purpose, an assent which is not rash. These you shall see.

Epictetus — The Slave

Some people will ask, "Where does this guy get his arrogance and snooty attitude?" But I don't have the dignity that fits a philosopher yet. I don't feel confident in what I've learned or what I believe. I'm still afraid of my own weaknesses. Let me gain confidence first. Then you'll see the face I should have and the bearing I should have. Then I'll show you the finished statue, when it's complete and polished. What did you expect — a snooty face? Does the statue of Zeus at Olympia raise his eyebrows and look down on people? No. His expression is steady, like someone ready to say:

Epictetus — The Slave Original

But some will say, Whence has this fellow got the arrogance which he displays and these supercilious looks? I have not yet so much gravity as befits a philosopher; for I do not yet feel confidence in what I have learned and in what I have assented to. I still fear my own weakness. Let me get confidence and then you shall see a countenance such as I ought to have and an attitude such as I ought to have; then I will show to you the statue, when it is perfected, when it is polished. What do you expect? a supercilious countenance? Does the Zeus at Olympia lift up his brow? No, his look is fixed as becomes him who is ready to say: