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The Stoic Philosophy
done his duty, and the parcel itself has no interest for him. He may return and say he is sorry that the man cannot be found; but his sorrow is not heartfelt. It is only a polite pretence.
The comparison is a little hard on the Stoics. No doubt they are embarrassed at this point between the claims of high logic and of human feeling. But they meet the embarrassment bravely. “You will suffer in your friend's suffering,” says Epictetus. “Of course you will suffer. I do not say that you must not even groan aloud. Yet in the centre of your being do not groan! Ἔσωθεν μέντοι μὴ στενάξῃς.” It is very like the Christian doctrine of resignation. Man cannot but suffer for his fellow-man; yet a Christian is told to accept the will of
