Evening star., 1925-07-29
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES Z. TRACEWELL.

Demetrius looked interested. This
was getting around home.
Your opinion" snapped Epictetus.
What is the reason that you are now
going up to Rome? Your opinion!
And going in Winter. and with
danger and expense? Your opinion.
Then If opinions are the causes of all
actions, and d man has bad opinions,
such as the cause may be, such also
is the effect"'
Demetrius stirred.
Have we, then, all sound opinions?"
he asked.
EpictetuS countered
Have you sounder opinions than
the other fellow who wants the job?"
he asked. You think so, of course.
But he thinks that his opinions are
better. And so do mad men"
Several of the other Uttered, but
Epictetus shook his head gravely at
them.
This is bad criterion" he mused
But show TO me that you have made
some inquiry into your own opinions
and have taken some pains about
them" he continued addressing De-
metrius pointedly.
Now you are sailing to Rome in
order to become governor of the Cnos-
slams, and you are not content to stay
at home with the honors which you
have, but you desire something greater
and more conspicuous.
When did you ever make a voyage
for the purpose of examining your
own opinions, and casting them out,
II you have any that are bad?"
Epictetus bored the visitor with his
bright eyes. Demetrius, plainly taken
a-back, affected to examine a bit of
scroll work on the marble seat.
< 4 \
Whom have you approached for
this purpose?" thundered Epictetus.
What time have you fixed for it?
What age?
Go over your life by yourself, if
you are ashamed Of me. When you
were a boy, did you examine your
opinions? And when you became a
youth, what did you imagine you were
deficient in?
And when you We're Il young man
and pleaded causes, who then seemed
your equal? AS a matter of fact,
when would you ever have submitted
to any man examining and showing
that your opinions are bad?
What then do you wish me to say
to your"
Demetrius looked somewhat abashed.
The pupils plainly We're enjoying
themselves. Epictetus sighed.
Help me in this matter" he said.
You did not come TO me as a philoso-
pher, but as a seller OF vegetables, or
d shoemaker. You will go away and
say, 1 met with Epictetus as / should
meet with a statue for you see me
and nothing more" Epictetus sunk
his head and continued:
He meets with a man as man,
who learns his opinions, and in his
turn shows his. Let US examine one
another. If I have any bad opinion,
take it away, if you have any. show
ii"
Demetrius looked bored well, I
will admit, Epictetus," he finally said,
this is only a passing visit; while
was hiring the vessel. | thought l
might just as well visit you and see
what you would say"
when you go away" broke in the
philosopher, with a smile, you will
say, 'Epictetus was nothing; he used
solecisms and spoke in a barbarous
wayr"
"Oh, no. protested Demetrius.
But if | should follow your advice,
II shall have no land. as you have
none, nor fine beasts, nor silver cups
Il have no need of such things, /"
unused Epictetus.
What, then.l have you need of?''
asked Demetrilfs, arising to go.
'Of that which you have not?''
pleasantly queried Epictetus "Of
tirmness, of a mind which is conform
able TO nature, of being free from per-
turbation-or a desire TO be governor
of the Cnossians.