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Epictetus - The Enchiridion - 07
Identifier
013339
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
The Enchiridion
7. Consider when, on a voyage, your ship is anchored; if you
go on shore to get water you may along the way amuse yourself
with picking up a shellish, or an onion. However, your
thoughts and continual attention ought to be bent towards the
ship, waiting for the captain to call on board; you must then
immediately leave all these things, otherwise you will be
thrown into the ship, bound neck and feet like a sheep. So it
is with life. If, instead of an onion or a shellfish, you are
given a wife or child, that is fine. But if the captain calls,
you must run to the ship, leaving them, and regarding none of
them. But if you are old, never go far from the ship: lest,
when you are called, you should be unable to come in time.