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

BOOK II. u. 20-jii. iwill come ;but If reason decides that you shouldanswer the summons and do your best to have whatyou say carry conviction, you must act in accordancetherewith, but always maintaining what isyour ownproper character.Looked at in this way it is also absurd to say,"Advise me." What advice am I to give you?Nay, say rather, " Enable my mind to adapt itselfto whatever comes." Since the other expressionisjust as if an illiterate should say, ee Tell me what towrite when some name is set me to write." For " ifI say, Write Dio," and then his teacher comesalong and sets him not the name "Dio," but"Theo," what will happen? What will he write ?But if you have practised writing, you are able alsoto prepare yourself for everything that is dictatedto youifyou have not practised, what advice can;I now offer you ? For if circumstances dictate somethingdifferent, what will you say or what will youdo ? Bear in mind, therefore, this general principleand you will not be at a loss for a suggestion. Butifyou gape open-mouthed at externals, you mustneeds be tossed up and down according to the willyour master. And who is your master ? Hewho has authority over any of the things uponwhich you set your heart or which you wish toavoid.CHAPTER IIITo those who recommend persons to the philosophersTHAT is an excellent answer of Diogenes to theman who asked for a letter of recommendation fromhim: "That you are a man," he says, "he will231