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

BOOK II. XYIII. 18-23not only willing, but nods to me and sends for me,yes, and when she even lays hold upon me andsnuggles up to me, if I still hold aloof and conquer,this has become a solved problem greater than TheLiar, and The Quiescent^ On this score a man hasa right to be proud indeed, but not about hisproposing ee The Master " problem.How, then, may this be done ? Make it your wishfinally to satisfy your own self, make ityour wishto appear beautiful in the sight of God. Set yourdesire upon becoming pure in the presence of yourpure self and of God. " Then when an externalimpression of that sort comes suddenly upon you., 3 'says Plato, 2 ee go and offer an expiatory sacrifice,go and make offering as a suppliant to the sanctuariesof the gods who avert evil" ;it isenough if youonly withdraw "to the society of the good andexcellent men," and set yourself to comparing yourconduct with theirs, whether you take as your modelone of the living, or one of the dead. Go to Socratesand mark him as he lies down beside Alcibiades 3and makes light of his youthful beauty. Bethinkyourself how great a victory he once won and knewit himself, like an Olympic victory, and what hisrank was, counting in order from Heracles 4 so;that, by the gods, one might justly greet him withecthe salutation, Hail, wondrous man!" for he wasvictor over something more than these rotten boxersand pancratiastS; and the gladiators who resemblethem. If you confront your external impressionwith such thoughts, you will overcome it, and notwith him, althoxxgh the ordinary count was from Coroebusof Klin, supposed to have been winner of the footrace in770 B.O.A A 2355