8, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." * * * * * "It is base for one who sweetens that which he drinks with the gifts of bees, to embitter by vice his reason, which is the gift of God." * * * * * "Nothing is meaner than the love of pleasure, the love of gain, and insolence: nothing nobler than high-mindedness, and gentleness, and philanthropy, and doing good." * * * * * "The vine bears three clusters: the first of pleasure; the second of drunkenness; the third of insult." "He is a drunkard who drinks more than three cups; even if he be not drunken, he has exceeded moderation." Our own George Herbert has laid down the same limit:-- "Be not a beast in courtesy, but stay, _Stay at the third cup, or forego the place_, Wine above all things doth God's stamp deface." * * * * * "Like the beacon-lights in harbours, which, kindling a great blaze by means of a few fagots, afford sufficient aid to vessels that wander over the sea, so, also, a man of bright character in a storm-tossed city, himself content with little, effects great blessings for his fellow-citizens." The thought is not unlike that of Shakespeare: "How far yon little candle throws its beams, So shines a good deed in a naughty world." But the metaphor which Epictetus more commonly adopts is one no less beautiful.

"What good," asked some one, "did Helvidius Priscus do in resisting Vespasian, being but a single person ?" "What good," answers Epictetus, "does the purple do on the garment?
Why, _it is splendid in itself, and splendid also in the example which it affords_." * * * * * "As the sun does not wait for prayers and incantations that he may rise, but shines at once, and is greeted by all; so neither wait thou for applause, and shouts, and eulogies, that thou mayst do well;--but be a spontaneous benefactor, and thou shalt be beloved like the sun." * * * * * "Thales, when asked what was the commonest of all possessions, answered, 'Hope; for even those who have nothing else have hope.'" "Lead, lead me on, my hopes," says Mr.Macdonald; "I know that ye are true and not vain.

Vanish from my eyes day after day, but arise in new forms.

I will follow your holy deception; follow till ye have brought me to the feet of my Father in heaven, where I shall find you all, with folded wings, spangling the sapphire dusk whereon stands His throne which is our home.
"What ought not to be done do not even think of doing." Compare "_Guard well your thoughts for thoughts are heard in heaven_.'" * * * * * Epictetus, when asked how a man could grieve his enemy, replied, "By preparing himself to act in the noblest way." Compare Rom.xii.20, "If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: _for in so doing thou shall heap coals of fire on his head_" * * * * * "If you always remember that in all you do in soul or body God stands by as a witness, in all your prayers and your actions you will not err; and you shall have God dwelling with you." Compare Rev.iii.30, "Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, _I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me."_ In the discourse written to prove that God keeps watch upon human actions, Epictetus touches again on the same topic, saying that God has placed beside each one of us his own guardian spirit--a spirit that sleeps not and cannot be beguiled--and has handed us each over to that spirit to protect us.

"And to what better or more careful guardian could He have entrusted us?
So that when you have closed your doors and made darkness within, _remember never to say that you are alone_.