If death surprise me thus employed, it is enough if I can stretch forth my hands to God and say, “The faculties which I received at Thy hands for apprehending this thine Administration, I have not neglected. As far as in me lay, I have done Thee no dishonour. Behold how I have used the senses, the primary conceptions which Thous gavest me. Have I ever laid anything to Thy charge? Have I ever murmured at aught that came to pass, or wished it otherwise? Have I in anything transgressed the relations of life? For that Thou didst beget me, I thank Thee for that Thou hast given: for the time during which I have used the things that were Thine, it suffices me. Take them back and place them wherever Thou wilt! They were all Thine, and Thou gavest them me.”—If a man depart thus minded, is it not enough? What life is fairer and more noble, what end happier than his? (APPENDIX A) Fragments Attributed to Epictetus I A life entangled with Fortune is like a torrent. It is turbulent and muddy; hard to pass and masterful of mood: noisy and of brief continuance. II The soul that companies with Virtue is like an ever-flowing source. It is a pure, clear, and wholesome draught; sweet, rich, and generous of its store; that injures not, neither destroys. III It is a shame that one who sweetens his drink with the gifts of the bee, should embitter God’s gift Reason with vice. IV Crows pick out the eyes of the dead, when the dead have no longer need of them; but flatterers mar the soul of the living, and _her_ eyes they blind. V Keep neither a blunt knife nor an ill-disciplined looseness of tongue. VI Nature hath given men one tongue but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak. VII Do not give sentence in another tribunal till you have been yourself judged in the tribunal of Justice. VIII If is shameful for a Judge to be judged by others. IX Give me by all means the shorter and nobler life, instead of one that is longer but of less account! X Freedom is the name of virtue: Slavery, of vice. . . . None is a slave whose acts are free. XI Of pleasures, those which occur most rarely give the most delight. XII Exceed due measure, and the most delightful things become the least delightful. XIII The anger of an ape—the threat of a flatterer:—these deserve equal regard. XIV Chastise thy passions that they avenge not themselves upon thee. XV No man is free who is not master of himself. XVI A ship should not ride on a single anchor, nor life on a single hope. XVII Fortify thyself with contentment: that is an impregnable stronghold. XVIII No man who is a lover of money, of pleasure, of glory, is likewise a lover of Men; but only he that is a lover of whatsoever things are fair and good. XIX Think of God more often than thou breathest. XX Choose the life that is noblest, for custom can make it sweet to thee. XXI Let thy speech of God be renewed day by day, aye, rather than thy meat and drink. XXII