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Monday, September 24, 2018

Epictetus, Golden Sayings 2


How then do men act? As though one returning to his country, who had sojourned for the night in a fair inn, should be so captivated thereby as to take up his abode there.

"Friend, you have forgotten your intention! This was not your destination, but only lay on the way there." 

"No, but it is a proper place!"
  
And how many more of the sort there may be, only to pass through upon your way!

Your purpose was to return to your country, to relieve your kinsmen's fears for you; yourself to discharge the duties of a citizen; to marry a wife, to beget offspring, and to fill the appointed round of office. 

You did not come to choose out what places are most pleasant, but rather to return to where you were born, and where you were appointed to be a citizen.

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