of these Things happens, it is in my Power to derive Advantage from it."
XIX.
You may be unconquerable, if you enter into no Combat, in which it is not in your own Power to conquer. When, therefore, you see any one eminent in Honours, or Power, or in high Esteem on any other Account, take heed not to be hurried away with the Appearance, and to pronounce him happy: for, if the Essence of Good consists in Things in our own Power, there will be no room for Envy, or Emulation. But, for your Part, do not wish to be a General, or a Senator, or a Consul, but [to be] free: and the only way to this, is, a Contempt of Things not in our own Power.
XX.
Remember, that not he who gives Ill Language, or a Blow, affronts; but the Principle, which represents these Things as affronting. When therefore, any one provokes you, be assured, that it is your own Opinion which provokes you. Try, therefore, in the first place, not to be hurried away with the Appearance. For, if you once gain Time and Respite, you will more easily command yourself.
XXI.
Let Death and Exile, and all other Things which appear terrible, be daily before your Eyes; but chiefly Death: and you will never entertain any abject Thought, nor too eagerly covet any thing.
XXII.
If you have an earnest Desire of attaining to Philosophy, prepare yourself from the very first, to be laughed at, to be sneered by the Multitude, to hear them say, "He is returned to us a Philosopher all at once;" and, "Whence this supercilious Look?" Now, for your Part, do not have a supercilious Look indeed; but keep steadily to those Things which appear best to you, as
