Ch. 21
Of the desire of admiration.
When one maintains his proper attitude in life,
he does not long after externals. What
would you have, O man?
" I am contented, if my desires and aversions are
conformable to nature; if I seek and shun that which
I ought, and thus regulate my purposes, my efforts,
and my opinions."
Why, then, do you walk as if you had swallowed a
spit?
"Because I could wish moreover to have all who
meet me admire me, and all who follow me cry out,
What a great philosopher! "
Who are those by whom you would be admired?
Are they not the very people who you used to say
were mad? What, then, would you be admired by
madmen?