Epictetus. (c.A.D. 50–c.A.D. 138). The Golden Sayings of Epictetus.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| XLV |
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| Is there smoke in the room? If it be slight, I remain; if grievous, I quit it. For you must remember this and hold it fast, that the door stands open. | 1 |
| “You shall not dwell at Nicopolis!” | 2 |
| Well and good. | 3 |
| “Nor at Athens.” | 4 |
| Then I will not dwell at Athens either. | 5 |
| “Nor at Rome.” | 6 |
| Nor at Rome either. | 7 |
| “You shall dwell in Gyara!” 1 | 8 |
| Well: but to dwell in Gyara seems to me like a grievous smoke; I depart to a place where none can forbid me to dwell: that habitation is open unto all! As for the last garment of all, that is the poor body; beyond that, none can do aught unto me. This is why Demetrius 2 said to Nero: “You threaten me with death; it is Nature who threatens you!” | 9 |
| | | Note 1. An island in the Ægean, used as a place of banishment. [back] | | Note 2. A well-known Cynic philosopher. [back] |
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