Discourses - Book I   

philosophers do." Man, why then do you blame me, if I know? What shall
I say to this slave? If I am silent, he will burst. I must speak in
this way: "Excuse me, as you would excuse lovers: I am not my own
master: I am mad."

CHAPTER 23

Against Epicurus

Even Epicurus perceives that we are by nature social, but having
once placed our good in the husk he is no longer able to say
anything else. For on the other hand he strongly maintains this,
that we ought not to admire nor to accept anything which is detached
from the nature of good; and he is right in maintaining this. How then
are we [suspicious], if we have no natural affection to our
children? Why do you advise the wise man not to bring up children? Why
are you afraid that he may thus fall into trouble? For does he fall
into trouble on account of the mouse which is nurtured in the house?
What does he care if a little mouse in the house makes lamentation
to him? But Epicurus knows that if once a child is born, it is no
longer in our power not to love it nor care about it. For this reason,
Epicurus says that a man who has any sense also does not engage in
political matters; for he knows what a man must do who is engaged in
such things; for, indeed, if you intend to behave among men as you
do among a swarm of flies, what hinders you? But Epicurus, who knows
this, ventures to say that we should not bring up children. But a
sheep does not desert its own offspring, nor yet a wolf; and shall a
man desert his child? What do you mean? that we should be as silly
as sheep? but not even do they desert their offspring: or as savage as
wolves, but not even do wolves desert their young. Well, who would
follow your advice, if he saw his child weeping after falling on the
ground? For my part I think that, even if your mother and your
father had been told by an oracle that you would say what you have
said, they would not have cast you away.

CHAPTER 24

How we should struggle with circumstances

It is circumstances which show what men are. Therefore when a
difficulty falls upon you, remember that God, like a trainer of
wrestlers, has matched you with a rough young man. "For what purpose?"
you may say, Why, that you may become an Olympic conqueror; but it
is not accomplished without sweat. In my opinion no man has had a more
profitable difficulty than you have had, if you choose to make use
of it as an athlete would deal with a young antagonist. We are now
sending a scout to Rome; but no man sends a cowardly scout, who, if he
only hears a noise and sees a shadow anywhere, comes running back in
terror and reports that the enemy is close at hand. So now if you
should come and tell us, "Fearful is the state of affairs at Rome,