BOOK III. VII. 2-8
answer the question, Which is the best? what are we going to tell men? The flesh? And was it for this that Maximus[1] sailed all the way to Cassiope[2] during the winter with his son, to see him on his way? Was it to have pleasure in the flesh? When the other had denied that and said "God forbid!" Epietetus continued: Is it not proper to have been very zealous for that which is best?—It is certainly most proper.—What have we better, then, than the flesh?—The soul, said he.—Are the goods of the best thing better, or those of the inferior?5—Those of the best thing.—Do goods of the soul belong in the sphere of the moral purpose, or do they not?—To the sphere of the moral purpose.—Is the pleasure of the soul, therefore, something that belongs in this sphere?—He agreed.—At what is this produced? At itself?[3] But that is inconceivable. For we must assume that there is already in existence a certain antecedent essence of the good, by partaking of which we shall feel pleasure of soul.—He agreed to this also.—At what, then, are we going to feel this pleasure of soul? If it is at the goods of the soul, the essence of the good has already been discovered. For it is impossible that one thing be good, and yet that it is justifiable for us to take delight in something else; nor again, that when the antecedent is not good the consequent be good; because, in order to justify the consequent, the antecedent must be good. But say not so, you Epicureans, if you are in your right mind; for you will be saying what is inconsistent both with Epicurus and with the rest of
- ↑ There were at least two distinguished men of the name at this time, but it is not clear that either one is meant.
- ↑ More likely the headland and harbour on the northern end of Corcyra than the almost wholly unknown town near Nicopolis, which some have thought of.
- ↑ "An ex se ipsa? Id est, an delectamur, quia delectamur?" Schweighäuser.
