Ch. 4
Concerning one who made himself improperly conspicuous in the theatre.
When the Governor of Epirus had exerted himself with improper eagerness in favor of a
comedian, and was upon that account publicly railed
at, and, when he came to hear it, was highly displeased with those who railed at him, Why, what
harm, said Epictetus, have these people done? They
have shown favoritism; which is just what you did.
" Is this a proper manner, then, of expressing their
favor? "
Seeing you, their governor, and the friend and
vicegerent of Caesar, express it thus, was it not to be
expected that they would express it thus too? For
if this zealous favoritism is not right, do not show it
yourself; and if it is, why are you angry at them for
imitating you? For whom have the many to imitate,
but you, their superiors? From whom are they to
take example, when they come into the theatre, but
from you? "Do but look how Caesar's vicegerent
sees the play! Has he cried out? I will cry out
too. Has he leaped up from his seat? I too will
leap up from mine. Do his slaves sit in different
parts of the house, making an uproar? I indeed
have no slaves; but I will make as much uproar as
I can unaided."
You ought to consider, then, that when you appear
in the theatre, you appear as a rule and example to
others, how they ought to see the play. Why is it
that they have railed at you? Because every man
hates what hinders him. They would have one actor
crowned; you, another. They hindered you, and
you them. You proved the stronger. They have
done what they could; they have railed at the person
who hindered them. What would you have, then?
Would you do as you please, and not have them
even talk as they please? Where is the wonder of
all this? Does not the husbandman rail at Zeus
when he is hindered by him? Does not the sailor?
Do men ever cease railing at Caesar? What, then; is
Zeus ignorant of this? Are not the things that are
said reported to Caesar? How then does he act? He
knows that, if he were to punish all railers, he would
have nobody left to command.
When you enter the theatre, then, ought you to
say, "Come, let Sophron be crowned "? No. But
rather, " Come, let me at this time regulate my Will
in a manner conformable to Nature. No one is
dearer to me than myself. It is ridiculous, then,
that because another man gains the victory as a
player, I should be hurt. Whom do I wish to gain
the victory? Him who does gain it; and thus he
will always be victorious whom I wish to be so."
"But I would have Sophron crowned." Why, celebrate as many games as you will at your own house,
Nemean, Pythian, Isthmian, Olympic, and proclaim
him victor in all; but in public do not arrogate more
than your due, nor seek to monopolize what belongs
to all; or if otherwise, bear to be railed at, for if you
act like the mob, you reduce yourself co an equality
with them.