All the Works of Epictetus · 71 of 100

Book III, Chapter 13

1.Solitude is the State of a helpless Person. For not he who is alone, is therefore solitary, any more than one in a Crowd, the contrary. When therefore we lose a Son, or a Brother, or a Friend, on whom we have been used to repose, we often say, we are left solitary, even in the midst of Rome, where such a Crowd is continually meeting us; where we live among so many, and when we have, perhaps, a numerous Train of Servants. For he is understood to be solitary, who is helpless and exposed to such as would injure him. Hence, in a Journey especially, we call ourselves solitary, when we fall among Thieves: for it is not the Sight of a Man that removes our Solitude, but of an honest Man; a Man of Honour, and a helpful Companion. If merely being alone is sufficient for Solitude, Jupiter may be said to be solitary at the Conflagration, and bewail himself, that he hath neither Juno nor Pallas, nor Apollo, nor Brother, nor Son, nor Descendant, nor Relation. This, some indeed say, he doth, when he is alone at the Conflagration. Such as these, moved by some natural Principle, some natural Desire of Society, and mutual Love, and by the Pleasure of Conversation, do not rightly consider the State of a Person who is alone. We ought, however, to be prepared in some manner for this also, to be self-sufficient, and able to bear our own Company. For as Jupiter converses with himself, acquiesces in himself, and contemplates his own Administration, and is employed in Thoughts worthy of himself; so should we too be able to talk with ourselves, and not to need the Conversation of others; nor be at a Loss [for Employment]: to attend to the divine Administration; to consider our Relation to other Beings how we have formerly been affected by Events; how we are affected now: what are the Things that still press upon us: how these too may be cured; how removed: if any thing wants completing, to complete it, according to Reason. You see, that Cæsar hath procured us a profound Peace: there are neither Wars, nor Battles, nor great Robberies, nor Piracies; but we may travel at all Hours, and sail from East to West. But can Cæsar procure us Peace from a Fever too? From a Shipwreck?. From a Fire? From an Earthquake? From a Thunder Storm? Nay, even from Love? He cannot. From Grief? From Envy? No: not from any one of these. But the Doctrine of Philosophers promises to procure us Peace, from these too. And what doth it say? “If you will attend to me, O Mortals, where-ever you are, and whatever you are doing, you, shall neither grieve, nor be angry, nor be compelled, nor restrained: but you shall live impassive, and free from all.” Shall not he who enjoys this Peace, proclaimed, not by Cæsar (for how should he have it to proclaim?) but by God, through Reason, be contented, when he is alone reflecting, and considering; “To me there can now no ill happen: there is no Thief, no Earthquake. All is full of Peace, all full of Tranquillity, every Road, every City, every Assembly. My Neighbour, my Companion, unable to hurt me.” Another, whose Care it is, provides you with Food, with Clothes, with Senses, with Pre-conceptions. Whenever he doth not provide what is necessary, he sounds a Retreat: He opens the Door, and says to you: “Come.” Whither? To nothing dreadful; but to that, whence you were made; to what is friendly and congenial, to the Elements. What in you was Fire, goes away to Fire; what was Earth, to Earth; what Air, to Air; what Water, to Water. There is no Hades, nor Acheron, nor Corytus, nor Pyriphlegethon; but all is full of Gods and Demons. He who can have such Thoughts; and can look upon the Sun, Moon, and Stars, and enjoy the Earth and Sea, is no more solitary, than he is helpless. —— Well: but suppose any one should come and murder me, when I am alone. —— Fool: not you; but that insignificant Body of yours.

2.What Solitude is there then left? What Destitution? Why do we make ourselves worse than Children? What do they do, when they are left alone? They take up Shells and Dust: they build Houses; then pull them down: then build something else: and thus never want Amusement. Suppose you were all to sail away; am I to sit, and cry, because I am left alone, and solitary? Am I so unprovided with Shells and Dust? But Children do this from Folly; and we are wretched from Wisdom.

3.Every great Faculty is dangerous to a Beginner. Study first how to live like a Person in Sickness; that in time you may know how to live like one in Health. Abstain from Food. Drink Water. Totally repress your Desire, for some time, that you may at length use it according to Reason; and, if according to Reason, [as you may,] when you [come to] have some Good in you, you will use it well. No: but we would live immediately as Men already wise; and be of Service to Mankind. —— Of what Service? What are you doing? Why: have you been of Service to yourself? but you would exhort them. You exhort! Would you be of Service to them, show them, by your own Example, what kind of Men Philosophy makes; and be not impertinent. When you eat, be of Service to those who eat with you; when you drink, to those who drink with you. Be of Service to them, by giving way to all, yielding to them, bearing with them; and not by throwing out your own ill Humour upon them.