Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

But like a good king and a true father, God has given us these abilities completely free. No one can block them or force us to use them differently. He put them entirely under our control. He didn't even keep any power to interfere with them himself. You received these powers as your own, yet you don't use them. You don't even see what you've been given or who gave it to you. Some of you are blind to the giver. You don't even recognize your benefactor. Others are so small-minded that you spend your time complaining and blaming God. I can show you that you have real power for greatness and courage. But show me what power you have for fault-finding and making accusations.

Discourses, Of Providence 26 of 388
Freedom & Control Knowing Yourself
Epictetus — The Slave Original

but, like a good king and a true father, He has given us these faculties free from hindrance, subject to no compulsion, unimpeded, and has put them entirely in our own power, without even having reserved to Himself any power of hindering or impeding. You, who have received these powers free and as your own, use them not; you do not even see what you have received, and from whom; some of you being blinded to the giver, and not even acknowledging your benefactor, and others, through meanness of spirit, betaking yourselves to fault-finding and making charges against God. Yet I will show to you that you have powers and means for greatness of soul and manliness; but what powers you have for finding fault making accusations, do you show me.

Discourses, Of Providence 26 of 388
Epictetus — The Slave

So look at the abilities you have. When you see them clearly, say this: "Bring it on, Zeus. Send me whatever challenge you want. You gave me the tools and the strength to honor myself through whatever happens." But you don't do this. Instead, you sit there shaking with fear about what might happen. You cry and complain and moan about what does happen. Then you blame the gods. What does this cowardice lead to? It's basically disrespectful to God. Yet God didn't just give us these abilities so we could handle anything without being crushed or broken by it.

Discourses, Of Providence 25 of 388
Facing Hardship Freedom & Control
Epictetus — The Slave Original

Come, then, do you also having observed these things look to the faculties which you have, and when you have looked at them, say: Bring now, O Zeus, any difficulty that thou pleasest, for I have means given to me by thee and powers for honoring myself through the things which happen. You do not so; but you sit still, trembling for fear that some things will happen, and weeping, and lamenting, and groaning for what does happen; and then you blame the gods. For what is the consequence of such meanness of spirit but impiety? And yet God has not only given us these faculties, by which we shall be able to bear everything that happens without being depressed or broken by it;

Discourses, Of Providence 25 of 388
‹ Previous Next ›

Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

About · Support