Hold in readiness for every need, these—
Keep these ready for every need:
The first quotation is from the Stoic Cleanthes. The second is from a lost play by Euripides. In the third, Epictetus combines two sayings of Socrates, one from the Crito and one from the Apologia. Anytus and Meletus were Socrates’ main accusers in the trial that led to his death sentence.
“Lead me, O Zeus, and thou, Destiny, whithersoever ye have appointed me to go, and may I follow fearlessly. But if in an evil mind I be unwilling, still must I follow.”
“Lead me, Zeus and Destiny, wherever you have decided I must go. May I follow without fear. But if I refuse out of wickedness, I must still follow.”
“That man is wise among us, and hath understanding of things divine, who hath nobly agreed with Necessity.”
“The wise man among us understands divine things. He has nobly accepted Necessity.”
But the third also—
But the third one too...
“O Crito, if so it seem good to the Gods so let it be. Anytus and Meletus are able to kill me indeed, but to harm me, never.”
“Crito, if this is the gods’ will, let it be. Anytus and Meletus can indeed kill me, but they can never harm me.”