1. Remember that thou art an actor in a play, of such a part as it may please the director to assign thee; of a short part if he choose a short part; of a long one if he choose a long. And if he will have thee take the part of a poor man, or of a cripple, or a governor, or a private person, mayest thou act that part with grace! For thine it is to act well the allotted part, but to choose it is another’s.
1. Remember that you are an actor in a play, assigned whatever role the director chooses for you. If he chooses a short role, yours is short. If he chooses a long one, yours is long. He may ask you to play a poor person, someone with a disability, a governor, or a private citizen. Whatever the role, may you play it with grace! Your task is to play your assigned role well. Choosing it belongs to someone else.
2. Say no more then, How will it be with me? for however it be thou wilt settle it well, and the issue shall be fortunate. What would Hercules have been had he said, How shall I contrive that a great lion may not appear to me, or a great boar, or a savage man? And what hast thou to do with that? if a great boar appear, thou wilt fight the greater fight; if evil men, thou wilt clear the earth of them. But if I die thus? Thou wilt die a good man, in the accomplishing of a noble deed. For since we must by all means die, a man cannot be found but he will be doing somewhat, either tilling or digging or trading or governing, or having an indigestion or a diarrhœa. What wilt thou, then, that Death shall find thee doing? I, for my part, will choose some work, humane, beneficent, social, noble. But if I am not able to be found doing things of this greatness, then, at least, I will be doing that which none can hinder me to do, that which is given to me to do—namely, correcting myself, bettering my faculty for making use of appearances, working out my peace, giving what is due in every obligation of life; and if I prosper so far, then entering upon the third topic of philosophy, which concerneth the security of judgments.
2. Stop asking, then, How will things turn out for me? However things turn out, you will handle them well, and the outcome will be fortunate. What would Hercules have become if he had asked, How can I keep a great lion from appearing before me? Or a great boar, or a savage man? And why should that concern you? If a great boar appears, you will fight a greater battle. If evil men appear, you will rid the earth of them. But what if I die that way? You will die a good man, carrying out a noble deed. Since we must all die, everyone will be doing something when death comes. They may be plowing, digging, trading, governing, or suffering from indigestion or diarrhea. What, then, do you want Death to find you doing? For my part, I will choose work that is humane, helpful, serves others, and is noble. But if I cannot be found doing such great things, I will at least do what no one can prevent. I will do what lies within my power. That means correcting myself and improving my ability to deal with impressions. It means developing inner peace and fulfilling every obligation in life. And if I make that much progress, I will take up the third topic of philosophy, which concerns sound judgment.
3. If Death shall find me in the midst of these studies, it shall suffice me if I can lift up my hands to God and say, The means which thou gavest me for the perceiving of thy government, and for the following of the same, have I not neglected: so far as in me lies, I have not dishonored thee. Behold how I have used my senses, and my natural conceptions. Have I ever blamed thee? was I ever offended at aught that happened, or did I desire it should happen otherwise? Did I ever desire to transgress my obligations? That thou didst beget me I thank thee for what thou gavest. I am content that I have used thy gifts so long. Take them again, and set them in what place thou wilt, for thine were all things, and thou gavest them me.
3. If death finds me in the middle of these studies, this will be enough for me. I can raise my hands to God and say, I have not neglected the means you gave me to understand your rule and live by it. As far as I can, I have done nothing to dishonor you. See how I have used my senses and my natural understanding. Have I ever blamed you? Was I ever upset by anything that happened, or did I wish it had happened differently? Did I ever want to neglect my duties? I thank you for bringing me into being and for what you gave me. I am content to have used your gifts for so long. Take them back and put them wherever you wish. All things were yours, and you gave them to me.
4. Is it not enough to depart in this condition? and what life is better and fairer than one like this, and what end more happy?
4. Isn't it enough to leave this life in this condition? What life is better and more beautiful than this? What end could be happier?