Green grapes, ripe grapes, dried grapes, raisins. So many changes in one thing. It doesn't change into nothing at all. It changes into something that doesn't exist yet.
Green grapes, ripe grapes, dried grapes, or raisins: so many changes and mutations of one thing, not into that which was not absolutely, but rather so many several changes and mutations, not into that which hath no being at all, but into that which is not yet in being.
Epictetus said, 'Every time a father kisses his child, he should say quietly to himself: tomorrow this child might die.' But people think these words are bad luck. No words are bad luck, Epictetus said, if they point to something natural. In fact, these words are no more unlucky than saying 'harvest grapes when they are ripe.'
'As often as a father kisseth his child, he should say secretly with himself' (said Epictetus,) 'tomorrow perchance shall he die.' But these words be ominous. No words ominous (said he) that signify anything that is natural: in very truth and deed not more ominous than this, 'to cut down grapes when they are ripe.'