Ch. 30
What we ought to have ready in difficult circumstances.
215
WHEN you are going in to any great personage, remember
that another also from above sees what is going on, and
that you ought to please him rather than the other. He
then who sees from above asks you: In the schools what
used you to say about exile and bonds and death and
disgrace? I used to say that they are things indifferent
(neither good nor bad). What then do you say of them
now? Are they changed at all? No. Are you changed
then? No. Tell me then what things are indifferent?
The things which are independent of the will. Tell me,
also, what follows from this. The things which are independent of the will are nothing to me. Tell me also about
the Good, what was your opinion? A will such as we
ought to have and also such a use of appearances. And
the end (purpose), what is it? To follow thee. Do you
say this now also? I say the same now also.
Then go in to the great personage boldly and remember
these things; and you will see what a youth is who has
studied these things when he is among men who have not
studied them. I indeed imagine that you will have such
thoughts as these: Why do we make so great and so many
preparations for nothing? Is this the thing which men
name power? Is this the antechamber? this the men
of the bedchamber? this the armed guards? Is it for
this that I listened to so many discourses? All this is
nothing: but I have been preparing myself as for something great.
[p. 97]