Abstract
If you’re prepared for adversity, Epictetus remarks, you won’t be painfully surprised when it hits: you won’t say that the adversity was “unexpected.” This, he adds,
will be the first relief. For [after having lost an offspring] it is always very helpful to be able to say [à la Solon or Anaxagoras or Xenophon] “I knew I gave birth to a mortal.” For this is what you’ll say, or again “I knew I was mortal,” “I knew I might have to leave home,” “I knew I might be banished,” “I knew I might be thrown in jail” (III.24.104–6).
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© 1969 Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, Netherlands
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Xenakis, J. (1969). Remedial Devices. In: Epictetus Philosopher-Therapist. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-9060-2_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-9060-2_8
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