Simplicius, Commentary on Epictetus 8.1

Remember, upon all occasions, to reflect with yourself, of what nature and condition those things are which minister delight, or are useful and beneficial to you, or which you have a natural tenderness for: and that these reflections may answer their end, make them familiar, by beginning at the slightest and most inconsiderable things, and so rising to the higher and more valuable. 

For instance; if you are fond of an earthen cup, consider it is but earthenware, and you cannot be much troubled or surprised, whenever it happens to be broke. 

And if you are fond of a child or a wife, consider, that they are human, that is of a frail and mortal nature; and thus your surprise and concern will be the less, when death takes either of them away from you. 

Comment: 

After the distinction between things within and things out of our own power, and an advertisement how we ought to esteem each of them: that the former sort only must be looked upon as our own, the latter as foreign and in the disposal of others; he had told us, how we ought to be affected with regard to those that fall within our power: to make such of them as are contrary to reason and nature, the object of our aversion, and to suspend all manner of desire, for some convenient time; which advice, in all probability, is grounded upon the arguments already mentioned. 

But since it is impossible to live without having something of interest in and much dealing with those things that are not at the disposal of our own will, he now informs us how to converse with them, and tells us, that, though they be not at our own pleasure, yet they may not be able to create to us any manner of disquiet and confusion. 

And here he takes notice of three sorts of these external things: first, such as can only pretend to please, without profiting us at all; these are such, as minister to our entertainment and delight. 

The second, such as are beneficial and convenient for use. 

And the third, such as we have a particular affection for, by reason of some natural relation they bear to us, and which we are tender of, without any regard to our own benefit and convenience. 

And this is a very just and true distinction. For pleasure, and profit, and natural affection, are the three things that engage our hearts; and it is always upon one or other of these accounts, that we are fond of this mortal state, and reconciled to all the hardships and miseries attending it. 

Now the entertainments and diversions that men are delighted with, differ, according to their several tempers and inclinations: some find their pleasures in plays: others in sports and exercises, in races, or tilting or the like. 

Others in dancing, or tricks of legerdemain, in jugglers, or zany’s, or buffoons. Some again in curious sights, either the beauties of nature, as the colors of peacocks and other find birds, pleasant flowers, and gardens, and meadows, and groves. Or in the perfection of art, as pictures, and statues, and buildings, or the exquisite workmanship of other professions. 

Some value those of the eye less, and find greater satisfaction in the entertainment of the ear, as the harmony of vocal and instrumental music; and, which is a pleasure more generous and improving, in eloquence or history, and sometimes in fables and romances. For that these contribute much to our delight, is plain, from that fondness, which all of us naturally have to stories, from our very childhood.

The second sort, which tend to our use and benefit, are likewise various. Some contribute to the improvement of the mind, as a skillful master, virtuous conversation, instructive books, and the like. some are serviceable to the body, as meats and clothes, and exercise. Some regard only our fortune, as places of authority, lands and tenements, money and goods, and the like. 

But the third sort we have a natural tenderness for, without any prospect of advantage from them; and these are recommended to our affection, by some common tie of nature and affinity between us. In this relation stand our wives and children, our kindred, our friends, and our countrymen. . . .