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Discourses · Fragment 3
Epictetus · Fragments

Fragment 3

From the same

1

All things obey and serve the Cosmos,4 both earth, and sea, and sun, and the other stars, and the plants and animals of earth; obedient to it also is our body, both in sickness and in health, when the Cosmos wishes, both in youth and in old age, and when passing through all the other changes. Therefore it is reasonable also that the one thing which is under our control, that is, the decision of our will, should not be the only thing to stand out against it. For the Cosmos is mighty and superior to us, and has taken better counsel for us than we can, by uniting us together with the universe under its governance. Besides, to act against it is to side with unreason, and while accomplishing nothing but a vain struggle, it involves us in pains and sorrows.

Epictetus, Discourses, Fragment 3, translated by W. A. Oldfather (1925–1928). The Stoic Library.