give him.

12. With respect to that which happens conformably to nature, we ought
to blame neither gods, for they do nothing wrong either voluntarily or
involuntarily, nor men, for they do nothing wrong except involuntarily.
Consequently we should blame nobody (ii. 11, 12, 13; vii. 62; 18 viii.
17).

13. How ridiculous and what a stranger he is who is surprised at
anything which happens in life.

14. Either there is a fatal necessity and invincible order, or a kind
providence, or a confusion without a purpose and without a director
(iv. 27). If then there is an invincible necessity, why dost thou
resist? But if there is a providence which allows itself to be
propitiated, make thyself worthy of the help of the divinity. But if
there is a confusion without a governor, be content that in such a
tempest thou hast in thyself a certain ruling intelligence. And even if
the tempest carry thee away, let it carry away the poor flesh, the poor
breath, everything else; for the intelligence at least it will not carry
away.

15. Does the light of the lamp shine without losing its splendor until
it is extinguished? and shall the truth which is in thee and justice and
temperance be extinguished [before thy death]?

16. When a man has presented the appearance of having done wrong [say],
How then do I know if this is a wrongful act? And even if he has done
wrong, how do I know that he has not condemned himself? And so this is
like tearing his own face. Consider that he who would not have the bad
man do wrong, is like the man who would not have the fig-tree to bear
juice in the figs, and infants to cry, and the horse to neigh, and
whatever else must of necessity be. For what must a man do who has such
a character? If then thou art irritable, + cure this man's
disposition.[A]

17. If it is not right, do not do it: if it is not true, do not say it.
[For let thy efforts be--][B]

[A] The interpreters translate [Greek: gorgos] by the words
"acer, validusque," and "skilful." But in Epictetus (ii. 16,
20; iii. 12, 10) [Greek: gorgos] means "vehement," "prone to
anger," "irritable."

[B] There is something wrong here, or incomplete.

18. In everything always observe what the thing is which produces for
thee an appearance, and resolve it by dividing it into the formal, the
material, the purpose, and the time within which it must end.

19. Perceive at last that thou hast in thee something better and more
divine th