"Such a one is the Person, who ought to be publicly lamented, for the Misfortunes into which he is fallen: not, by Heaven, either he who is born or dies; but he, whom it hath befallen while he lives to lose what is properly his own: not his paternal Possessions, his paultry Estate, or his House, his Lodging, or his Slaves, (for none of these are a Man's own; but all belonging to others, servile, dependent, and given at different Times, to different Persons, by the Disposers of them;) but his personal Qualifications as a Man, the Impressions which he brought into the World stampt upon his Mind: such as we seek in Money; and, if we find them, allow it to be good; if not, throw it away."
— Carter, Elizabeth (1717-1806)
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
S. Richardson
Date
1758
Metaphor
"Such a one is the Person, who ought to be publicly lamented, for the Misfortunes into which he is fallen: not, by Heaven, either he who is born or dies; but he, whom it hath befallen while he lives to lose what is properly his own: not his paternal Possessions, his paultry Estate, or his House, his Lodging, or his Slaves, (for none of these are a Man's own; but all belonging to others, servile, dependent, and given at different Times, to different Persons, by the Disposers of them;) but his personal Qualifications as a Man, the Impressions which he brought into the World stampt upon his Mind: such as we seek in Money; and, if we find them, allow it to be good; if not, throw it away."
Metaphor in Context
[...] Is not a Man then also unhappy in the same manner? Not he, who cannot strangle Lions, or grasp Statues for he hath received no Faculties for this Purpose from Nature;) but who hath lost his Rectitude of Mind, his Fidelity. Such a one is the Person, who ought to be publicly lamented, for the Misfortunes into which he is fallen: not, by Heaven, either he who is born or dies; but he, whom it hath befallen while he lives to lose what is properly his own: not his paternal Possessions, his paultry Estate, or his House, his Lodging, or his Slaves, (for none of these are a Man's own; but all belonging to others, servile, dependent, and given at different Times, to different Persons, by the Disposers of them;) but his personal Qualifications as a Man, the Impressions which he brought into the World stampt upon his Mind: such as we seek in Money; and, if we find them, allow it to be good; if not, throw it away. "What Impression hath this "Piece of Money?"--"Trajan's." "Give it me." -- "Nero's" Throw it away. It is false: it is good for nothing. So in the other Case. "What Impression have his Principles?" "Gentleness, social Affection, Patience, Good-nature." Bring them hither. I receive them. I make such a Man a Citizen; I receive him for a Neighbour,, a fellow Traveller. Only see that he hath not the Neronian Impression. Is he passionate? Is he resentful? Is he querulous? Would he, if he took the Fancy, break the Head of those who fall in his Way? Why then do you call him a Man? For is every thing distinguished by the mere outward Form? Then say, just as well, that a Piece of Wax is an Apple, or that it hath the Smell and Taste too. But the external Figure is not enough: nor, consequently, is it sufficient to make a Man, that he hath a Nose and Eyes, if he hath not the proper Principles of a Man. Such a one doth not understand Reason, or apprehend when he is confuted. He is an Ass. Another is dead to the Sense of Shame. He is a worthless Creature; any thing, rather than a Man. Another seeks whom he may kick or bite: so that he is neither Sheep nor Ass. But what then? He is a wild Beast.
(IV.v, pp. 382-4)
(IV.v, pp. 382-4)
Categories
Provenance
Reading
Citation
At least 5 entries in ESTC (1758, 1759, 1768).
See All the Works of Epictetus, Which Are Now Extant; Consisting of His Discourses, Preserved by Arrian, in Four Books, the Enchiridion, and Fragments. Translated from the Original Greek, by Elizabeth Carter. With an Introduction, and Notes, by the Translator. (London: Printed by S. Richardson: and sold by A. Millar, in The Strand; John Rivington, in St. Paul’s Church-Yard; and, R. and J. Dodsley, in Pall-Mall, 1758). <Link to ESTC><Link to Google Books>
See All the Works of Epictetus, Which Are Now Extant; Consisting of His Discourses, Preserved by Arrian, in Four Books, the Enchiridion, and Fragments. Translated from the Original Greek, by Elizabeth Carter. With an Introduction, and Notes, by the Translator. (London: Printed by S. Richardson: and sold by A. Millar, in The Strand; John Rivington, in St. Paul’s Church-Yard; and, R. and J. Dodsley, in Pall-Mall, 1758). <Link to ESTC><Link to Google Books>
Date of Entry
04/10/2012
Date of Review
04/10/2012
