"
CLXXXIV
On all occasions these thoughts should be at hand:--
Lead me, O God, and Thou, O Destiny
Be what it may the goal appointed me,
Bravely I'll follow; nay, and if I would not,
I'd prove a coward, yet must follow still!
Again:
Who to Necessity doth bow aright,
Is learn'd in wisdom and the things of God.
Once more:--
Crito, if this be God's will, so let it be. As for me,
Anytus and Meletus can indeed put me to death, but injure me,
never!
CLXXXV
We shall then be like Socrates, when we can indite hymns of praise to
the Gods in prison.
CLXXXVI
It is hard to combine and unite these two qualities, the carefulness
of one who is affected by circumstances, and the intrepidity of one
who heeds them not. But it is not impossible: else were happiness also
impossible. We should act as we do in seafaring.
"What can I do?"--Choose the master, the crew, the day, the opportunity.
Then comes a sudden storm. What matters it to me? my part has been fully
done. The matter is in the hands of another--the Master of the ship.
The ship is foundering. What then have I to do? I do the only thing
that remains to me--to be drowned without fear, without a cry, without
upbraiding God, but knowing that what has been born must likewise
perish.
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