The Modern PoetFor your words and others.
Release 15
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THE MODERN POET

The Enchiridion · Section XXX

By Epictetus

Duties are universally measured by relations. Is a certain man your father? In this are implied taking care of him, submitting to him in all things, patiently receiving his reproaches, his correction. But he is a bad father. Is your natural tie, then, to a _good_ father? No, but to a father. Is a brother unjust? Well, preserve your own just relation toward him. Consider not what _he_ does, but what _you_ are to do to keep your own will in a state conformable to nature, for another cannot hurt you unless you please. You will then be hurt when you consent to be hurt. In this manner, therefore, if you accustom yourself to contemplate the relations of neighbor, citizen, commander, you can deduce from each the corresponding duties.

Original source ↗

Thomas Wentworth Higginson translation · public domain in the USA

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