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Saturday, November 24, 2018

Epictetus, Golden Sayings 60


Seek then the real nature of the Good in that without whose presence you will not admit the Good to exist in anything else.

What then? Are not these other things also works of God?

They are, but not preferred to honor, nor are they portions of God. But you are a thing preferred to honor; you are yourself a fragment torn from God. You have a portion of Him within yourself. 

How is it then that you do not know your high descent—do not know from where you come? When you eat, will you not remember who you are that eats and whom you feed? In intercourse, in exercise, in discussion know you not that it is a God whom you feed, a God whom you exercise, a God whom you bear about with you?

O miserable! and you perceive it not. Do you think that I speak of a God of silver or gold, that is without you? No, you bear Him within you! All unconscious of polluting Him with thoughts impure and unclean deeds. 

Were an image of God present, you would not dare to act as you do, yet, when God Himself is present within you, beholding and hearing all, you do not blush to think such thoughts and do such deeds, O you that are insensible of your own nature and lie under the wrath of God! 
 

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