| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Hiero by Xenophon: [9] "Their mightinesses," or as we might say, "their serene
highnesses." Cf. Thuc. ii. 65.
[10] "The greatest jubilance."
Or say, they are the givers of two gifts which shall be like in all
respects. It is plain enough in this case also that "the gracious
favour" of his royal highness, even if halved, would more than
counterbalance the whole value of the commoner's "donation."[11]
[11] Or, "half the great man's 'bounty' more than outweighs the small
man's present." For {dorema} cf. Aristot. "N. E." I. ix. 2,
"happiness . . . a free gift of God to men."
Nay, as it seems to me, an honour from the gods, a grace divine, is
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Cratylus by Plato: leave the question open until we have heard both sides.
HERMOGENES: I have often talked over this matter, both with Cratylus and
others, and cannot convince myself that there is any principle of
correctness in names other than convention and agreement; any name which
you give, in my opinion, is the right one, and if you change that and give
another, the new name is as correct as the old--we frequently change the
names of our slaves, and the newly-imposed name is as good as the old: for
there is no name given to anything by nature; all is convention and habit
of the users;--such is my view. But if I am mistaken I shall be happy to
hear and learn of Cratylus, or of any one else.
SOCRATES: I dare say that you may be right, Hermogenes: let us see;--Your
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Golden Sayings of Epictetus by Epictetus: looking annoyed, show that you are displeased with the subject.
CLXXII
When you have decided that a thing ought to be done, and are
doing it, never shun being seen doing it, even though the
multitude should be likely to judge the matter amiss. For if you
are not acting rightly, shun the act itself; if rightly, however,
why fear misplaced censure?
CLXXIII
It stamps a man of mean capacity to spend much time on the
things of the body, as to be long over bodily exercises, long
over eating, long over drinking, long over other bodily
The Golden Sayings of Epictetus |
