Golden Sayings of Epictetus

Epictetus

• Editore: pubOne.info
• Anno: 2010
• ISBN:
  9782819929352
• Argomento: Letteratura
• Categoria: Classici

pubOne.info thank you for your continued support and wish to present you this new edition. Are these the only works of Providence within us? What words suffice to praise or set them forth? Had we but understanding, should we ever cease hymning and blessing the Divine Power, both openly and in secret, and telling of His gracious gifts? Whether digging or ploughing or eating, should we not sing the hymn to God: -

(APPENDIX B)

The Hymn of Cleanthes

Chiefest glory of deathless Gods, Almighty for ever,

Sovereign of Nature that rulest by law, what Name shall we

give Thee? —

Blessed be Thou! for on Thee should call all things that are

mortal.

For that we are Thine offspring; nay, all that in myriad motion

Lives for its day on the earth bears one impress— Thy

likeness— upon it.

Wherefore my song is of Thee, and I hymn thy power for ever.

Lo, the vast orb of the Worlds, round the Earth evermore as it

rolleth,

Feels Thee its Ruler and Guide, and owns Thy lordship rejoicing.

Aye, for Thy conquering hands have a servant of living fire—

Sharp is the bolt! — where it falls, Nature shrinks at the shock

and doth shudder.

Thus Thou directest the Word universal that pulses through all

things,

Mingling its life with Lights that are great and Lights that

are lesser,

E'en as beseemeth its birth, High King through ages unending.

Nought is done that is done without Thee in the earth or the waters

Or in the heights of heaven, save the deed of the fool and the

sinner.

Thou canst make rough things smooth; at Thy voice, lo, jarring

disorder

Moveth to music, and Love is born where hatred abounded.

Thus hast Thou fitted alike things good and things evil together,

That over all might reign one Reason, supreme and eternal;

Though thereunto the hearts of the wicked be hardened and

heedless—

Woe unto them! — for while ever their hands are grasping at

good things,

Blind are their eyes, yea, stopped are their ears to God's Law

universal,

Calling through wise disobedience to live the life that is noble.

This they mark not, but heedless of right, turn each to his

own way,

Here, a heart fired with ambition, in strife and straining

unhallowed;

There, thrusting honour aside, fast set upon getting and gaining;

Others again given over to lusts and dissolute softness,

Working never God's Law, but that which wareth upon it.

Nay, but, O Giver of all things good, whose home is the dark cloud,

Thou that wields Heaven's bolt, save men from their

ignorance grievous;

Scatter its night from their souls, and grant them to come to

that Wisdom

Wherewithal, sistered with Justice, Thou rulest and governest

all things;

That we, honoured by Thee, may requite Thee with worship and

honour,

Evermore praising thy works, as is meet for men that shall perish;

Seeing that none, be he mortal or God, hath privilege nobler

Than without stint, without stay, to extol Thy Law universal.

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ISBN : 978-2-8199-2935-2