Evening star., 1925-07-27

! befallen you, but that you have also
increased the habit, and in a manner
thrown fuel upon the fire.
| If Epictetus had lived today, prob
ably he would have said 1t was like
giving your engines Ave new gallons
of gas.t
In this manner, also, diseases of
the mind grow up continues the
Roman. with surprising apprehension
of the theories Of James and other
! psychologists.
when you have once desired
money. if reason be applied to lead to
perception of the evil, the desire is
stopped, and the ruling faculty Of our
mind is restored to the original au-
thority.
But II you apply no means of
cure, 1t no longer returns to the same
state, but being again excited by the
corresponding appearance, 1t is in.
! famed to desire quicker than before.
when this takes place continually,
| 1t is henceforth made callous, and the
disease of the mind confirms the love
| of money.
For he who has had a. fever and
has been relieved from 1t. is not in the
same state that he was before, unless
he has been completely cured" Mod
rn medicine will uphold this; scarlet
fever. for instance, almost invariably
leaves kidney or other trouble)
Something OF the kind happens also
in diseases OF the SOUL" continues
Epictetus.
Certain traces and blisters are left
in 1t, and unless a man shall COM
pletely efface them, when he is again
la shed on the same place, the lash will
not produce blisters, but sores.
IF, then, you wish not TO be of an
angry temper, do not feed the habit.
Throw nothing on it which will
increase it.
"At first keep quiet, and count the
days on which you have not been
angry.
II used to be in a passion every
day; then every second day; then
every third, then every fourth.
But if you have intermitted 80
days, make sacrifice to God"
x
When such base appearances"
tempt one, Epictetus declares, either
go as a suppliant to your church, or
resort to the society of noble and just
men. and compare yourself with them
whether you find one who is living or
dead.
But in the first place" he warns.
''be not hurried away by the rapidity
of the appearance, but say, Appear
ances. wait for me a little; let me see
who you are, and what you are about.
let me put you to the test.
DO not allow the appearance temp
tation) TO lead you on and draw lively
pictures of the things which Will fol
low; for if you do, IL will carry you
off wherever 1t pleases.
Rather bring in to oppose II some
beautiful and noble appearance. and
cast out this base imagination.
IF you are accustomed to be eXer
cised in this way, you will see what
shoulders, sinews. what strength you
have.
This is the true athlete, the man
who exercises himself against such
appearances.
stay, wretch, do not be carried
away.
Great is the combat. divine is the
work; it is for kingship, for freedom,
for happiness.
Remember God; call on Him as a
helper and protector, as men at sea
call on the Dioscuri in storm.
For what greater storm is there
than that which comes from appear
ances which are violent, and drive
away the reason?
What else is the storm but an ap-
pearance?
Take away the fear Of death. and
suppose as many thunders and light
nigs as you please, and you will know
what calm and serenity there is in
the ruling faculty"