Volume 1 - Discourses - Books I - II - College of Stoic Philosophers

BOOK I. xxvi. 1-9the following law of life that we must do whatnature demands. For if we wish in every matter andcircumstance to observe what is in accordance withnature., it is manifest that in everything we shouldmake it our aim neither to avoid that which naturedemands,, nor to accept that which is in conflict withnature. The philosophers., therefore,, exercise usfirst in the theory where there is less difficulty, andthen after that lead us to the more difficult matters ;for in theory there is nothing which holds us backfrom following what we are taught., but in theaffairs of life there are many things which draw usaway. He is ridiculous, then, who says that hewishes to begin with the latter ;for it is not easy tobegin with the more difficult things. And this isthe defence that we ought to present to such parentsas are angry because their children study philosophy."Very well then, father, I go astray, not knowingwhat is incumbent upon me or what my dutyNow is.if this is a thing that can neither be taught norlearned,, why do you reproach me ? But if it can betaught, teach me and if ; you cannot do this, allowme to learn from those who profess to know.Really, what is your idea ? That I intentionally fallinto evil and miss the good ? Far from it ! What,then, is the cause of my going astray ? Ignorance.Very well, do you not want me to put away myignorance Whom ? did anger ever teach the art ofsteering, or music Do ? you think, then, that youranger will make me learn the art of living?"Only he can so speak who has applied himselfto philosophy in such a spirit.But if a man readsupon the subject and resorts to the philosophersmerely because he wants to make a display at a