What to Have Ready in Difficult Times.[227]

When you are going in to any great personage, remember that another also from above sees what is going on, and that you ought to please him rather than the other. He then who sees from above asks you: In the schools what used you to say about exile and bonds and death and disgrace? I used to say that they are things indifferent (neither good nor bad). What then do you say of them now? Are they changed at all? No. Are you changed then? No. Tell me then what things are indifferent? The things which are independent of the will. Tell me, also, what follows from this. The things which are independent of the will are nothing to me. Tell me also about the Good, what was your opinion? A will such as we ought to have and also such a use of appearances. And the end (purpose), what is it? To follow thee. Do you say this now also? I say the same now also.²²⁷

When you go to see an important person, remember that someone else is watching from above. You should try to please him rather than the important person. The one watching from above asks you: What did you say in school about exile, imprisonment, death, and disgrace? I said they were indifferent, neither good nor bad. What do you say about them now? Have they changed at all? No. Have you changed, then? No. Tell me, then, what things are indifferent? Things that are beyond my will. Tell me, too, what follows from that. Things beyond my will are nothing to me. Tell me also what you thought about the Good. A will as it should be, and the proper use of appearances. And what is the purpose? To follow you. Do you still say this? I still say the same.²²⁷

Then go in to the great personage boldly and remember these things; and you will see what a youth is who has studied these things when he is among men who have not studied them. I indeed imagine that you will have such thoughts as these: Why do we make so great and so many preparations for nothing? Is this the thing which men name power? Is this the antechamber? this the men of the bedchamber? this the armed guards? Is it for this that I listened to so many discourses? All this is nothing: but I have been preparing myself as for something great.

Then go boldly to the important man and remember these things. You will see what a young man who has studied them is like among men who have not. I imagine you will have thoughts like these: Why do we make so many great preparations for nothing? Is this what men call power? Is this the waiting room? Are these the attendants? Are these the armed guards? Is this what I listened to so many lectures for? All this is nothing. Yet I have been preparing myself as if it were something great.