All the Works of Epictetus · 18 of 100

Book I, Chapter 16

1.Be not surprised, if other Animals have all Things necessary to the Body ready provided for them, not only Meat and Drink but Lodging: that they want neither Shoes, nor Bedding, nor Clothes: while we stand in need of all these. For they not being made for themselves, but for Service, it was not fit that they should be formed so as to need the Help of others. For, consider what it would be for us to take care, not only for ourselves, but for Sheep and Asses too: how they should be clothed, how shod, and how they should eat and drink. But as Soldiers are ready for their Commander, shod, clothed, and armed (for it would be a grievous thing for a Colonel to be obliged to go through his Regiment to put on their Shoes and Clothes): so Nature likewise has formed the Animals made for Service, ready provided, and standing in need of no further Care. Thus one little Boy, with only a Crook, drives a Flock.

2.But now we, instead of being thankful for this, complain of God, that there is not the same kind of Care taken of us likewise. And yet, good Heaven! any one Thing in the Creation is sufficient to demonstrate a Providence, to a modest and grateful Mind. Not to instance at present in great Things: but only in the very Production of Milk from Grass, Cheese from Milk, and Wool from Skins: who formed and contrived these Things? No one, say you. O surprising Stupidity, and want of Shame! But come; let us omit the Works of Nature. Let us contemplate what she hath done, as it were, by-the-bye. What is more useless than the Hairs which grow on the Chin? And yet hath she not made use even of these, in the most becoming manner possible? Hath she not by these distinguished the Sexes? Doth not Nature in each of us call out, even at a Distance, I am a Man; approach and address me as such; enquire no farther; see the Characteristic. On the other hand, with regard to Women, as he hath mixed something softer in their Voice, so the hath deprived them of a Beard. But no: to be sure, the Animal should have been left undistinguished, and each of us obliged to proclaim, I am a Man! But why is not this Characteristic beautiful and becoming, and venerable? How much more beautiful than the Comb of Cocks; how much more noble than the Mane of Lions! Therefore, we ought to have preserved the divine Characteristics: we ought not to have rejected them; nor confounded, as much as in us lay, the distinct Sexes.

3.Are these the only Works of Providence, with regard to us . . . . . . . . . . . And what Words can proportionably express our Applauses and Praise? For, if we had any Understanding, ought we not both, in public and in private, incessantly to sing Hymns, and speak well of the Deity, and rehearse his Benefits? Ought we not, whether we are digging, or ploughing, or eating, to sing the Hymn [due] to God? Great is God, who has supplied us with these Instruments to till the Ground: Great is God, who has given us Hands, a Power of Swallowing, a Stomach: who has given us to grow insensibly, to breathe in Sleep. [Even] these Things we ought upon every Occasion to celebrate; but to make it the Subject of the greatest and most divine Hymn, that he has given us the Faculty of apprehending them, and using them in a proper Way. Well then: because the most of you are blind and insensible, was it not necessary, that there should be some one to fill this Station, and give out, for all Men, the Hymn to God? For what else can I, a lame old Man, do, but sing Hymns to God? If I was a Nightingale, I would act the Part of a Nightingale: if a Swan, the Part of a Swan. But, since I am a reasonable Creature, it is my Duty to praise God. This is my Business. I do it. Nor will I ever desert this Post, as long as it is vouchsafed me: and I exhort you to join in the same Song.