Volume 1 - Discourses - Books I - II - College of Stoic Philosophers

BOOK II. xxi. 8-13how they will get rid of it among such men Iwonder whether it is not worth while for us also towatch ourselves, each one asking himself the"questions Is : it possible that I too am one of thesepeople? What conceit am Icherishing regardingmyself? How do I conduct myself? Do 1 formypart act like a wise man? Do I for my part act likea man of self-control ? Do I formy part ever saythat I have been educated to meet whatever comes ?Have I the consciousness, proper to a man whoknows nothing, that I do know nothing? Do I goto my teacher, like one who goes to consult anoracle, prepared to obey? Or do I, too, like asniffling child, go to school to learn only the historyof philosophy and to understand the books which Idid not understand before, and, if chance offers, toexplain them to others?" Man, at home you havefought a regular prize-fight with your slave, youhave driven your household into the street, you havedisturbed your neighbours' peace and now do youcome ;to me with a solemn air, like a philosopher,and sitting down pass judgement on the explanationIgave of the reading of the text and on theapplication, forsooth, of the comments I made as Ibabbled out whatever came into my head ? Youhave come in a spirit o envy, in a spirit ofhumiliation because nothing isbeing sent you fromhome, 1 and you sit there while the lecture isgoingon, thinking, on your part, of nothing in the worldbut how you stand with your father or your brother!You reflect " : What are my people at homesaying about me? At this moment they arethinking that am I making progress in my studies,fand they are saying He will know everythingc c 2337