Enchiridion 53

Upon every occasion we ought to have the following thoughts at our command:

Lead thou me on, O Zeus, and Destiny, To that goal long ago to me assigned. I'll follow and not falter; if my will Prove weak and craven, still I'll follow on.

"Whoso has rightly with necessity complied, We count him wise, and skilled in things divine."

"Well, O Crito, if so it is pleasing to the gods, so let it be."

"Anytus and Meletus can kill me, but they cannot hurt me."

Epictetus, Enchiridion 53, translated by W. A. Oldfather

In every thing (circumstance) we should hold these maxims ready to hand:

Lead me, O Zeus, and thou O Destiny, The way that I am bid by you to go: To follow I am ready. If I choose not, I make myself a wretch, and still must follow.

But whoso nobly yields unto necessity, We hold him wise, and skill'd in things divine.

And the third also: O Crito, if so it pleases the Gods, so let it be; Anytus and Melitus are able indeed to kill me, but they cannot harm me.

Epictetus, Enchiridion 53, translated by George Long

On every occasion we must have these thoughts at hand,

'Lead me, O Zeus, and lead me, Destiny, Whither ordainèd is by your decree. I'll follow, doubting not, or if with will Recreant I falter, I shall follow still.'

'Who rightly with necessity complies In things divine we count him skilled and wise.'

'Well, Crito, if this be the gods' will, so be it.'

'Anytus and Meletus have power to put me to death, but not to harm me.'

Epictetus, Enchiridion 53, translated by P. E. Matheson