Against Those Who Want to Be Admired

When a man holds his proper station in life, he does not gape after things beyond it. Man, what do you wish to happen to you? I am satisfied if I desire and avoid conformably to nature, if I employ movements towards and from an object as I am by nature formed to do, and purpose and design and assent. Why then do you strut before us as if you had swallowed a spit? My wish has always been that those who meet me should admire me, and those who follow me should exclaim O the great philosopher. Who are they by whom you wish to be admired? Are they not those of whom you are used to say, that they are mad? Well then do you wish to be admired by madmen?

When a man keeps to his proper place in life, he does not long for things beyond it. Man, what do you want to happen to you? I am satisfied if my desires and aversions are in accord with nature. I am satisfied if I pursue and avoid things as nature intended, and if I form intentions and plans and give assent. Why, then, do you strut before us as if you had swallowed a spit? My wish has always been for those who meet me to admire me. I want those who follow me to exclaim, Oh, what a great philosopher! Who are the people you want to admire you? Aren't they the very people you usually call mad? Well then, do you want madmen to admire you?