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—Yes. Except conscious of it. Because it’s characteristic of social
beings that they see themselves as acting socially. And expect their
neighbors to see it too!
That’s true. But you’re misunderstanding me. You’ll wind up like the
people I mentioned before, misled by plausible reasoning. But if you make
an effort to understand what I’m saying, then you won’t need to worry
about neglecting your social duty.
7. Prayer of the Athenians:
Zeus, rain down, rain down
On the land and fields of Athens.
Either no prayers at all—or one as straightforward as that.
8. Just as you overhear people saying that “the doctor prescribed suchand-such
for him” (like riding, or cold baths, or walking barefoot . . .), say
this: “Nature prescribed illness for him.” Or blindness. Or the loss of a
limb. Or whatever. There “prescribed” means something like “ordered, so
as to further his recovery.” And so too here. What happens to each of us is
ordered. It furthers our destiny.
And when we describe things as “taking place,” we’re talking like
builders, who say that blocks in a wall or a pyramid “take their place” in the
structure, and fit together in a harmonious pattern.
For there is a single harmony. Just as the world forms a single body
comprising all bodies, so fate forms a single purpose, comprising all
purposes. Even complete illiterates acknowledge it when they say that
something “brought on” this or that. Brought on, yes. Or prescribed it. And
in that case, let’s accept it—as we accept what the doctor prescribes. It may
not always be pleasant, but we embrace it—because we want to get well.
Look at the accomplishment of nature’s plans in that light—the way you
look at your own health—and accept what happens (even if it seems hard to
accept). Accept it because of what it leads to: the good health of the world,
and the well-being and prosperity of Zeus himself, who would not have
brought this on anyone unless it brought benefit to the world as a whole. No
nature would do that—bring something about that wasn’t beneficial to what
it governed.