There is a discontent which
is certain, sooner or later, to bring with it the peace of God. There is
a discontent which drives the peace of God away, for ever and a day. And
the noble and peace-bringing discontent is to be discontented with
ourselves, as very few are. And the mean peace-destroying discontent is
to be discontented with things around us, as too many are. Now, my
friends, I cannot see into your hearts; and I ought not to see. For if I
saw, I should be tempted to judge; and if I judged, I should most
certainly judge rashly, shallowly, and altogether wrong. Therefore
examine yourselves, and judge yourselves in this matter. Ask yourselves
each, Am I at peace? And if not, then apply to yourselves the rule of
old Epictetus, the heroic slave, who, heathen though he was, sought God,
and the peace of God, and found them, doubt it not, long, long ago. Ask
yourselves with Epictetus, Am I discontented with things which are in my
own power, or with things which are not in my own power?--that is,
discontented with myself, or with things which are not myself? Am I
discontented with myself, or with things about me, and outside of me?
Consider this last question well, if you wish to be true Christians, true
philosophers, and, indeed, true men and women.
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