Publisher's Synopsis
Though Epictetus contends that man has power over his will, he well knew how weak this power sometimes is. An appearance, he says, is presented, and straightway I act according to it; and, what is the name of those who follow every appearance? They are called madmen. - Such are a large part of mankind; and it is true, that many persons have no Will at all. They are deceived by appearances, perplexed, tossed about like a ship which has lost the helm: they have no steady, fixed, and rational purpose. Their perseverance or obstinacy is often nothing more than a perseverance in an irrational purpose. It is often so strong and so steady that the man himself and others too may view it as a strong will; and it is a strong will, if you choose, but it is a will in a wrong direction. "The nature of the Good is a certain Will: the nature of the Bad is a certain kind of Will." This edition of A SELECTION FROM THE DISCOURSES WITH THE ENCHEIRIDION includes: - TRANSLATION by George Long - PREFACE and THE PHILOSOPHY OF EPICTETUS BY EDWIN GINN - QUOTES BY EPICTETUS
