"Difficulties show a person's character. So when a challenge confronts you, remember that God is matching you with a younger sparring partner, as would a physical trainer. Why? Becoming an Olympian takes sweat! I think no one has a better challenge than yours, if only you would use it like an athlete would that younger sparring partner."-EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 1.24.1-2
("어려움은 그 사람의 본성을 드러냅니다. 그러니 도전이 다가올 때, 신체 트레이너가 젊은 스파링 파트너를 붙여주듯이, 신께서 당신에게 맞는 상대를 주고 있다는 사실을 기억하세요. 왜냐하면 올림픽 선수가 되기 위해선 많은 땀을 흘려야 하기 때문입니다! 운동선수가 젊은 스파링 파트너와 함께 훈련하듯, 당신도 그 도전을 그렇게 받아들인다면, 이보다 더 좋은 기회는 없을 것입니다." - 에픽테토스, 담화, 1.24.1-2)
The Stoics loved to use metaphors from the Olympics, especially wrestling. Like us, they saw sports as a training ground to practice for the challenges one will inevitably face in the course of living. As General Douglas MacArthur once said, in words later engraved at the gymnasium at West Point:
UPON THE FIELDS OF FRIENDLY STRIFE
ARE SOWN THE SEEDS
THAT, UPON OTHER FIELDS, ON OTHER DAYS
WILL BEAR THE FRUITS OF VICTORY.
Everyone has found themselves...
