Ch. 5
How nobleness of mind may be consistent with prudence.
The materials of action are variable, but the use
we make of them should be constant.
How, then, shall one combine composure and tranquillity with energy; doing nothing rashly, nothing
carelessly?
By imitating those who play at games. The dice
are variable; the pieces are variable. How do I
know what will fall out? But it is my business to
manage carefully and dexterously, whatever happens.
Thus in life too, this is the chief business, to consider
and discriminate things, and say, " Externals are not
in my power; choice is. Where shall I seek good
and evil? Within; in what is my own." But in
what is controlled by others, count nothing good or
evil, profitable or hurtful, or any such thing.
What, then; are we to treat these in a careless
way?
By no means; for this, on the other hand, would
be a perversion of the will, and so contrary to nature.
But we are to act with care, because the use of our
materials is not indifferent; and at the same time with
calmness and tranquillity, because the materials them-
selves are uncertain. For where a thing is not uncertain, there no one can restrain or compel me.
Where I am capable of being restrained or compelled,
the acquisition does not depend upon me; nor is it
either good or evil. The use of it, indeed, is either
good or evil; but that does depend upon me. It is
difficult, I own, to blend and unite tranquillity in
accepting, and energy in using, the facts of life; but
it is not impossible; if it be, it is impossible to be
happy. How do we act in a voyage? What is in
my power? To choose the pilot, the sailors, the day,
the hour. Afterwards comes a storm. What have
I to care for? My part is performed. This matter
belongs to another, to the pilot. But the ship is
sinking; what then have I to do? That which alone
I can do; I submit to being drowned, without fear,
without clamor, or accusing God; but as one who
knows that what is born must likewise die. For
I am not eternity, but a man, - a part of the whole,
as an hour is of the day. I must come like an hour,
and like an hour must pass away. What signifies it
whether by drowning or by a fever? For, in some
way or other, pass I must.
This you may see to be the practice of those who
play skilfully at ball. No one strives for the ball
itself, as either a good or an evil; but how he may
throw and catch it again. Here lies the address,
here the art, the nimbleness, the skill; lest I fail
to catch it, even when I open my breast for it, while
another catches it whenever I throw it. But if we
catch or throw it in fear and trembling, what kind of
play will this be? How shall we keep ourselves
steady, or how see the order of the game? One will
say, throw; another, do not throw; a third, you have
thrown once already. This is a mere quarrel, not a
play. Therefore Socrates well understood playing
at ball.
"What do you mean?"
When he joked at his trial. "Tell me," said he,
"Anytus, how can you say that I do not believe in
a God? What do you think demons are? Are they
not either the offspring of the gods, or compounded
of gods and men?" Yes. "Do you think, then,
that one can believe there are mules, and not believe
that there are asses?" This was just as if he had
been playing at ball. And what was the ball he had
to play with? Life, chains, exile, a draught of poison, separation from a wife, and leaving his children
orphans. These were what he had to play with; and
yet he did play, and threw the ball with address.
Thus we should be careful as to the play, but indifferent as to the ball. We are by all means to manage
our materials with art, - not taking them for the best,
but showing our art about them, whatever they may
happen to be. Thus a weaver does not make the
wool, but employs his art upon what is given him.
It is another who gives you food and property, and
may take them away, and your paltry body too. Do
you, however, work upon the materials you have
received; and then, if you come off unhurt, others,
no doubt, who meet you, will congratulate you on your
escape. But he who has a clearer insight into such
things will praise and congratulate you if he sees
you to have done well; but if you owe your escape
to any unbecoming action, he will do the contrary.
For where there is a reasonable cause for rejoicing,
there is cause likewise for congratulation.
How, then, are some external circumstances said
to be according to nature; others contrary to it?
Only when we are viewed as isolated individuals.
I will allow that it is natural for the foot (for instance) to be clean. But if you take it as a foot,
and not as a mere isolated thing, it will be fit that it
should walk in the dirt, and tread upon thorns; and
sometimes that it should even be cut off, for the good
of the whole; otherwise it is no longer a foot. We
should reason in some such manner concerning ourselves. Who are you? A man. If then, indeed,
you consider yourself isolatedly, it is natural that you
should live to old age, should be prosperous and
healthy; but if you consider yourself as a man, and
as a part of the whole, it will be fit, in view of that
whole, that you should at one time be sick; at
another, take a voyage, and be exposed to danger;
sometimes be in want; and possibly die before your
time. Why, then, are you displeased? Do not you
know that otherwise, just as the other ceases to be a
foot, so you are no longer a man? For what is
a man? A part of a commonwealth; first and chiefly
of that which includes both gods and men; and next,
of that to which you immediately belong, which is
a miniature of the universal city.
What, then; must I, at one time, go before a tribunal; must another, at another time, be scorched by a
fever; another be exposed to the sea; another die;
another be condemned?
Yes; for it is impossible, in such a body, in such a
world, and among such companions, but that some
one or other of us must meet with such circumstances. Your business, then, is simply to say what
you ought, to order things as the case requires.
After this comes some one and says, "I pronounce
that you have acted unjustly." Much good may it
do you; I have done my part. You are to look to
it, whether you have done yours; for you may as
well understand that there is some danger in that
quarter also.