Golden Sayings   

A man asked me to write to Rome on his behalf who, as most
people thought, had met with misfortune; for having been before
wealthy and distinguished, he had afterwards lost all and was
living here. So I wrote about him in a humble style. He however
on reading the letter returned it to me, with the words: "I asked
for your help, not for your pity. No evil has happened unto me."

XXVI

True instruction is this:-- to learn to wish that each thing
should come to pass as it does. And how does it come to pass? As
the Disposer has disposed it. Now He has disposed that there
should be summer and winter, and plenty and dearth, and vice and
virtue, and all such opposites, for the harmony of the whole.

XXVII

Have this thought ever present with thee, when thou losest
any outward thing, what thou gainest in its stead; and if this be
the more precious, say not, I have suffered loss.

XXVIII

Concerning the Gods, there are who deny the very existence
of the Godhead; others say that it exists, but neither bestirs
nor concerns itself norhas forethought for anything. A third
party attribute to it existence and forethought, but only for
great and heavenly matters, not for anything that is on earth. A
fourth party admit things on earth as well as in heaven, but only
in general, and not with respect to each individual. A fifth, of
whom were Ulysses and Socrates are those that cry:--
I move not without Thy knowledge!

XXIX

Considering all these things, the good and true man submits
his judgement to Him that administers the Universe, even as good
citizens to the law of the State. And he that is being instructed
should come thus minded:--How may I in all things follow the
Gods; and, How may I rest satisfied with the Divine
Administration; and, How may I become free? For he is free for
whom all things come to pass according to his will, and whom none
can hinder. What then, is freedom madness? God forbid. For
madness and freedom exist not together.
"But I wish all that I desire to come to pass and in the
manner that I desire."
--You are mad, you are beside yourself. Know you not that
Freedom is a glorious thing and of great worth? But that what I
desired at random I should wish at random to come to pass, so far
from being noble, may well be exceeding base.