Providence

When you make any charge against Providence, consider, and you will learn that the thing has happened according to reason.—Yes, but the unjust man has the advantage.—In what?—In money.—Yes, for he is superior to you in this, that he flatters, is free from shame, and is watchful. What is the wonder? But see if he has the advantage over you in being faithful, in being modest: for you will not find it to be so; but wherein you are superior, there you will find that you have the advantage. And I once said to a man who was vexed because Philostorgus was fortunate: Would you choose to lie with Sura?⁵²⁵— May it never happen, he replied, that this day should come? Why then are you vexed, if he receives something in return for that which he sells; or how can you consider him happy who acquires those things by such means as you abominate; or what wrong does Providence, if he gives the better things to the better men? Is it not better to be modest than to be rich ?—He admitted this—Why are you vexed then, man, when you possess the better thing? Remember then always and have in readiness the truth, that this is a law of nature, that the superior has an advantage over the inferior in that in which he is superior; and you will never be vexed.

Whenever you find fault with Providence, think about it, and you will see that what happened was reasonable. But the unjust man has the advantage, you say. In what? In money. Yes, because he is better than you at flattery, feels no shame, and is always on the lookout. What is surprising about that? But see whether he has the advantage over you in faithfulness or modesty. You will find that he does not. Wherever you are superior, you will find that you have the advantage. I once spoke to a man who was upset by Philostorgus’s good fortune. I asked him: Would you choose to sleep with Sura?⁵²⁵ May that day never come, he replied. Why, then, are you upset if Philostorgus receives something in return for what he sells? How can you think him happy when he gains those things by means you hate? And what wrong does Providence do by giving the better things to better men? Isn’t it better to be modest than rich? He admitted that it was. Why, then, are you upset, man, when you have the better thing? Always remember this truth and keep it ready: It is a law of nature that the superior has an advantage over the inferior in whatever he is superior at. Then you will never be upset.

But my wife treats me badly.—Well, if any man asks you what this is, say, my wife treats me badly—Is there then nothing more? Nothing.—My father gives me nothing—[What is this? my father gives me nothing—Is there nothing else then?—Nothing]⁵²⁶: but to say that this is an evil is something which must be added to it externally, and falsely added. For this reason we must not get rid of poverty, but of the opinion about poverty, and then we shall be happy.

But my wife treats me badly. Well, if anyone asks you what has happened, say, my wife treats me badly. Is there anything more? Nothing. My father gives me nothing. [What has happened? My father gives me nothing. Is there anything else? Nothing.]⁵²⁶ But to say that this is an evil is to add something from outside, and to add it falsely. So we must not get rid of poverty, but of our opinion about poverty. Then we shall be happy.