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

BOOK II. n. 4-13If you wish not to be hindered nor compelled,man whatwill compel you to desire what does not seemto you to be desirable,, to avoid what you do not feelshould be avoided? Well, what then? The judgewill do some things to you which are thought to beterrifying but how can he make you ; try to avoidwhat you suffer ?When, therefore,, desire andaversion are under your own control, what more doyou care for ? This is your introduction,, this thesetting forth of your case, this your proof, this yourvictoiy, this your peroration, this your approbation.That iswhy Socrates, in reply to the man whowas reminding him to make preparation " for his trial,said, Do you not feel, then, that with rny wholelife I am making preparation for this " ? " Whatkind of " " preparation? I have maintained/* sayshe, " that which is under my control." " Howthen?" ee 1 have never done anything that waswrong either in my private or in my public life." 1But ifyou wish to maintain also what is external,your paltry body and your petty estate and yoursmall reputation, I have this to say to you Begin:this very moment to make all possible preparation,and furthermore study the character of your judgeand your antagonist. If you must clasp men'sknees, clasp them; if you must wail, then wail;ifyou must groan, then groan. For when you subjectwhat is your own to externals, then fromhenceforth be a slave, and stopletting yourself bedrawn this way and that, at one moment wishingto be a slave, at another not, but be either this orthat simply and with allyour mind, either a freeman or a slave, either educated or uneducated,either a spirited fighting cock or a spiritless one,227