Fate Leads the Willing

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From the Stoic philosopher Cleanthes of Assos’ (c. 330 BC – c. 230 BC) famous hymn to Zeus – a part found in Epictetus’ Enchiridion:

Lead me on, O Zeus, and thou Destiny,
To that goal long ago to me assigned.
I’ll follow readily but if my will prove weak;
Wretched as I am, I must follow still.
Fate guides the willing, but drags the unwilling.

FATE LEADS THE WILLING when my life my very wellbeing depends on the actions of those around me it’s a trial to my innate sensibilities to bring my side if my destiny is to live my final years in isolation cut off from the interaction with others it shouldn’t be any hardship as I can employ this time to the enrichment of my scant knowledge to learn to do without material trappings of this capitalist world admit that we are guided by the rules of nature and I must accept all things are beyond one’s own personal power every day every hour every minute of my day is another chance for a different path there are very few things that we can control also those who resist the pull of Fate will feel hamstrung by events that alter their life plans an individual who accepts the things that occur in life that are beyond his control can lead a happy life by controlling negative emotions and passions et du volentem fata nolentem trahunt* _________________________________________________________________________ *both Fate leads the willing and drags the unwilling ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- POET'S NOTE: The prepenultemate and penultimate lines (both 23 syllables per line - the top of the range as far as breathing is concerned) overrun the line space, hence the indentations. All lines were checked via Howmanysyllables.com

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Richard Lamoureux

Date: 3/5/2021 5:04:00 AM

This is really good. You put a lot of thought into this piece. I appreciate intelligent and thought provoking writing.

Suzette Richards
Date: 3/20/2021 12:24:00 AM

I try to keep true to my nature and, therefore, always presented flush left on the page. Thank you for your kind comment, Rick.