Miscellaneous Matters

As bad⁵¹⁷ tragic actors cannot sing alone, but in company with many: so some persons cannot walk about alone. Man, if you are anything, both walk alone and talk to yourself, and do not hide yourself in the chorus. Examine a little at last, look around, stir yourself up, that you may know who you are.

Just as bad⁵¹⁷ tragic actors cannot sing alone, but only with a large group, some people cannot walk alone. Man, if you are anything, walk alone and talk to yourself. Do not hide in the chorus. At last, examine yourself a little. Look around and stir yourself up, so that you may know who you are.

When a man drinks water, or does anything for the sake of practice (discipline), whenever there is an opportunity he tells it to all: 'I drink water.' Is it for this that you drink water, for the purpose of drinking water? Man, if it is good for you to drink, drink; but if not, you are acting ridiculously. But if it is good for you and you do drink, say nothing about it to those who are displeased with water-drinkers. What then, do you wish to please these very men?

When a man drinks water or does anything else to practice self-discipline, he tells everyone whenever he gets the chance: 'I drink water.' Is drinking water an end in itself? Man, if drinking water is good for you, drink it. But if it isn't, you're acting ridiculous. And if it is good for you and you do drink it, don't tell people who disapprove of water drinkers. What, do you want to please those very people?

Of things that are done some are done with a final purpose (προηγουμένως), some according to occasion, others with a certain reference to circumstances, others for the purpose of complying with others, and some according to a fixed scheme of life.⁵¹⁸

Some things are done with an ultimate purpose (προηγουμένως), and some as the occasion arises. Others are done with some regard to circumstances, others to comply with other people, and some according to a fixed plan of life.⁵¹⁸

You must root out of men these two things, arrogance (pride) and distrust. Arrogance then is the opinion that you want nothing (are deficient in nothing): but distrust is the opinion that you cannot be happy when so many circumstances surround you. Arrogance is removed by confutation; and Socrates was the first who practised this. And (to know) that the thing is not impossible inquire and seek. This search will do you no harm; and in a manner this is philosophizing, to seek how it is possible to employ desire and aversion (ἐκκλίσει) without impediment.

You must root out two things in people: arrogance (pride) and distrust. Arrogance is the belief that you lack nothing. Distrust is the belief that you cannot be happy with so many circumstances surrounding you. Arrogance is removed by showing people that they are wrong. Socrates was the first to do this. To learn that happiness is not impossible, ask questions and search for answers. This search will do you no harm. In a way, searching for how to exercise desire and aversion (ἐκκλίσει) without hindrance is what it means to philosophize.

I am superior to you, for my father is a man of consular rank. Another says, I have been a tribune, but you have not. If we were horses, would you say, My father was swifter? I have much barley and fodder, or elegant neck ornaments. If then while you were saying this, said, Be it so: let us run then. Well, is there nothing in a man such as running in a horse, by which it will be known which is superior and inferior? Is there not modesty (aldès), fidelity, justice? Show yourself superior in these, that you may be superior as a man. If you tell me that you can kick violently, I also will say to you, that you are proud of that which is the act of an ass.

I am better than you because my father was a consul. Another says, I have been a tribune, but you have not. If we were horses, would you say, My father was faster? I have plenty of barley and fodder, or fine ornaments for my neck. And if you said these things, I might reply, All right. Let us race, then. Now, is there nothing in a person like running in a horse? Nothing by which we can tell who is better and who is worse? What about modesty (aldès), fidelity, and justice? Show that you are better in these qualities, so that you may be better as a person. If you tell me you can kick hard, I will tell you that you are proud of doing what a donkey does.