Duties are universally measured by relations (ταῖς σχέσεσι). Is a man a father? The precept is to take care
of him, to yield to him in all things, to submit when he is
reproachful, when he inflicts blows. But suppose that he
is a bad father. Were you then by nature made akin to
a good father? No; but to a father. Does a brother
wrong you? Maintain then your own position towards
him, and do not examine what he is doing, but what you
must do that your will shall be conformable to nature.
For another will not damage you, unless you choose: but
you will be damaged then when you shall think that you
are damaged. In this way then you will discover your
duty from the relation of a neighbour, from that of a
citizen, from that of a general, if you are accustomed
to contemplate the relations.
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The Discourses of Epictetus, with the Encheridion and Fragments. Epictetus. George Long. translator. London. George Bell and Sons. 1890.
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