Discourses - Book I   

For Socrates also excused the gaoler, who had the charge of him in
prison and was weeping when Socrates was going to drink the poison,
and said, "How generously he laments over us." Does he then say to the
gaoler that for this reason we have sent away the women? No, but he
says it to his friends who were able to hear it; and he treats the
gaoler as a child.

CHAPTER 30

What we ought to have ready in difficult circumstances

When you are going into 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. "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, what is it?" To follow Thee. "Do you say this now also?" I
say the same now also.
Then go into 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 for something great."