Ch. 21
Against those who wish 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?
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