Against Those Eager for Advancement in Rome

If we applied ourselves as busily to our own work as the old men at Rome do to those matters about which they aro employed, perhaps we also might accomplish something. I am acquainted with a man older than myself, who is now superintendent of corn⁸⁷ at Rome, and I remember the time when he came here on his way back from exile, and what he said as he related the events of his former life, and how he declared that with respect to the future after his return he would look after nothing else than passing the rest of his life in quiet and tranquillity. For how little of life, he said, remains for me. I replied, you will not do it, but as soon as you smell Rome, you will forget all that you have said; and if admission is allowed even into the imperial palace, he⁸⁸ will gladly thrust himself in and thank God. If you find me, Epictetus, he answered, setting even one foot within the palace, think what you please. Well, what then did he do? Before he entered the city, he was met by letters from Caesar, and as soon as he received them, he forgot all, and ever after has added one piece of business to another. I wish that I were now by his side to remind him of what he said when he was passing this way, and to tell him how much better a seer I am than he is.

If we worked as hard at our own business as the old men in Rome do at theirs, perhaps we too might accomplish something. I know a man older than I am who is now superintendent of corn⁸⁷ at Rome. I remember when he came here on his way back from exile. He told me about his earlier life and said that, once he returned, he would care about nothing except spending the rest of his life in peace and quiet. “How little of my life is left,” he said. I replied, “You will not do it. As soon as you smell Rome, you will forget everything you have said. And if he⁸⁸ is allowed into the imperial palace, he will gladly push his way in and thank God.” He answered, “Epictetus, if you find me setting even one foot inside the palace, think what you please.” So what did he do? Before he entered the city, letters from Caesar arrived for him. As soon as he received them, he forgot everything he had said. Ever since, he has taken on one piece of business after another. I wish I were beside him now, to remind him of what he said when he passed through here. I would tell him how much better I am at seeing the future than he is.

Well then do I say that man is an animal made for doing nothing?⁸⁹ Certainly not. But why are we not active?⁹⁰ (We are active.) For example, as to myself, as soon as day comes, in a few words I remind myself of what I must read over to my pupils;⁹¹ then forthwith I say to myself, But what is it to me how a certain person shall read? the first thing for me is to sleep. And indeed what resemblance is there between what other persons do and what we do? If you observe what they do, you will understand. And what else do they do all day long than make up accounts, enquire among themselves, give and take advice about some small quantity of grain, a bit of land, and such kind of profits? Is it then the same thing to receive a petition and to read in it: I intreat you to permit me to export⁹² a small quantity of corn; and one to this effect: "I intreat you to learn from Chrysippus what is the administration of the world, and what place in it the rational animal holds; consider also who you are, and what is the nature of your good and bad. Are these things like the other, do they require equal care, and is it equally base to neglect these and those? Well then are we the only persons who are lazy and love sleep? No; but much rather For we old men when we see young you young men are. men amusing themselves are eager to play with them; and if I saw you active and zealous, much more should I be eager myself to join you in your serious pursuits."

Well then, am I saying that humans are made to do nothing?⁸⁹ Certainly not. But why are we not active?⁹⁰ (We are active.) Take me, for example. As soon as daylight comes, I briefly remind myself what I must read with my students.⁹¹ Then I immediately say to myself, “But why should I care how someone reads? The first thing for me is to sleep.” And really, how does what other people do resemble what we do? If you watch them, you will understand. What do they do all day? They make up accounts, ask questions, and exchange advice about a little grain, a bit of land, and similar profits. Is receiving and reading one petition the same as receiving another? One says, “I beg you to let me export⁹² a little grain.” Another says, “I beg you to learn from Chrysippus how the world is governed. Learn what place rational beings hold in it. Consider also who you are and the nature of your good and evil.” Are these things like the others? Do they require equal care? Is it equally shameful to neglect either? Well then, are we the only ones who are lazy and love sleep? No, you young men are even more so. When we old men see young men enjoying themselves, we are eager to play with them. And if I saw you active and eager, I would be even more eager to join you in your serious pursuits.