39. The body is to everyone the measure of the possessions proper for it, just as the foot is of the shoe.
If, therefore, you stop at this, you will keep the measure; but if you move beyond it, you must necessarily be carried forward, as down a cliff; as in the case of a shoe, if you go beyond its fitness to the foot, it comes first to be gilded, then purple, and then studded with jewels.
For to that which once exceeds a due measure, there is no bound.
Book: Handbook
Subtitle: The ancient summary of Epictetus's teachings and philosophy
Author: Epictetus
Chapter: Chapter Thirty-nine (Chapter 39 of 53)
Sections in this chapter:
Section 1:
39. The body is to everyone the measure of the possessions proper for it, just as the foot is of the shoe.
If, therefore, you stop at this, you will keep the measure; but if you move beyond it, you must necessarily be carried forward, as down a cliff; as in the case of a shoe, if you go beyond its fitness to the foot, it comes first to be gilded, then purple, and then studded with jewels.
For to that which once exceeds a due measure, there is no bound.