1. The position and token of the vulgar: he looks never to himself for benefit or hurt, but always to outward things. The position and character of the philosopher: he looks for benefit or hurt only to himself.
1. The ordinary person’s defining attitude is this: he never looks to himself for benefit or harm, but always to outside things. The philosopher’s defining attitude is this: he looks only to himself for benefit or harm.
2. The tokens of one that is making advance: he blames none, he praises none, he accuses none, he complains of none; he speaks never of himself, as being somewhat, or as knowing aught. When he is thwarted or hindered in aught, he accuseth himself. If one should praise him, he laughs at him in his sleeve; if one should blame him, he makes no defense. He goes about like the sick and feeble, fearing to move the parts that are settling together before they have taken hold. He hath taken out of himself all pursuit, and hath turned all avoidance to things in our power which are contrary to nature. Toward all things he will keep his inclination slack. If he is thought foolish or unlearned, he regardeth it not. In a word, he watches himself as he would a treacherous enemy.
2. These are the signs of someone making progress: he blames no one, praises no one, accuses no one, and complains about no one. He never speaks of himself as someone important or as someone who knows anything. When something frustrates or obstructs him, he blames himself. If someone praises him, he laughs to himself at that person. If someone blames him, he offers no defense. He moves cautiously, like someone sick and weak, afraid to disturb healing parts before they have joined firmly. He has given up all pursuit of what he desires. He avoids only things within our control that are contrary to nature. He keeps his inclinations toward all things restrained. If others think him foolish or ignorant, he does not care. In short, he watches himself as he would a treacherous enemy.