Discourses and Selected Writings by Epictetus, Robert Dobbin Page B

along with him, so that the game will not be spoiled on our account. [9] But if the ‘king’ says, ‘Imagine that you are unhappy,’ and I demur, who is going to force me? [10] If, on the other hand, the programme calls for the re-enactment of Achilles’ quarrel with Agamemnon, and the actor in the role of king says to me, ‘Go and get Briseis away from Achilles,’ [11] I’ll go. When he says, ‘Return,’ I’ll return.
    The way we handle hypothetical arguments can also serve as a model for our behaviour. 41 ‘Let’s assume that it is night.’
    ‘Fine.’
    ‘Then is it day?’
    ‘No, because I’ve accepted the hypothesis that it is night.’
    [12] ‘Let’s assume, in the manner of a game or play, that you pretend to believe that it is night.’
    ‘OK.’
    ‘Now, believe that it really is night.’
    [13] ‘That does not follow from the hypothesis.’
    The same rules apply in life: ‘Let’s assume you’ve come upon hard times.’
    ‘Granted.’
    ‘Then you are unfortunate.’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘And suffering.’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Now believe that what has happened to you is bad.’
    ‘That does not follow from the hypothesis. Besides, there is another who won’t let me.’ 42
    [14] How long should we submit to the rules of the game? As long as it serves my turn, and I find the part congenial. [15] Some dour, inflexible types will say, ‘I can’t eat at this man’s table if it means listening to his war stories again: “I told you, friend, how I scrambled up the hill; now we came under renewed bombardment…”’ [16] But another person in the same situation might say, ‘The meal is what matters; let him rattle on to his heart’s content.’ [17] It is for you to arrange your priorities; but whatever you decide to do, don’t do it resentfully, as if you were being imposed on. And don’t believe your situation is genuinely bad – no one can make you do that. [18] Is there smoke in the house? If it’s not suffocating, I will stay indoors; if it proves too much, I’ll leave. Always remember – the door is open.
    [19] ‘Do not remain in Nicopolis,’ they say to me; so I don’t remain there.
    ‘Don’t stay in Athens either.’
    So I quit Athens.
    ‘Not Rome either.’
    So I abandon Rome.
    [20] ‘Live on Gyara.’ 43
    But for me living on Gyara amounts to more smoke in my house than I can stand. So I depart to the one place no one can stop me from going, where everyone is made welcome. [21] And when I remove my last piece of clothing – my skin – then no one can lay a hold of me any longer. [22] Which is whyDemetrius was emboldened to say to Nero, ‘You threaten me with death, but nature threatens you. ’
    [23] If I cherish my body, I make a slave of myself, if I cherish my property, I make a slave of myself; [24] because I’ve disclosed the means to make me captive. When a snake pulls back its head, right away I think, ‘Hit it just there, on the part that it’s protecting.’ In the same way you may be sure that whatever you are seen to protect, that will become your enemy’s focus of attack. [25] Keep this in mind, then there will be no one you will need to fear or flatter.
    [26] ‘But I want to sit in the senators’ gallery.’
    Look, the crowd is of your own creation, you’re treading on your own toes.
    [27] ‘But how else am I to get a clear view of the stage?’
    If you don’t want to be crowded, don’t attend the theatre. What’s the difficulty? Or wait until the show is over, then seat and sun yourself at leisure in the senators’ seats. [28] In general, remember that it is we who torment, we who make difficulties for ourselves – that is, our opinions do. What, for instance, does it mean to be insulted? [29] Stand by a rock and insult it, and what have you accomplished? If someone responds to insult like a rock, what has the abuser gained with his invective? If, however, he has his victim’s weakness to exploit, then his efforts are worth his while.
    [30] ‘Strip