Discourses - Book I   

say, "I cannot sup with this man to be obliged to hear him telling
daily how he fought in Mysia: 'I told you, brother, how I ascended the
hill: then I began to be besieged again.'" But another says, "I prefer
to get my supper and to hear him talk as much as he likes." And do you
compare these estimates: only do nothing in a depressed mood, nor as
one afflicted, nor as thinking that you are in misery, for no man
compels you to that. Has it smoked in the chamber? If the smoke is
moderate, I will stay; if it is excessive, I go out: for you must
always remember this and hold it fast, that the door is open. Well,
but you say to me, "Do not live in Nicopolis." I will not live
there. "Nor in Athens." I will not live in Athens. "Nor in Rome." I
will not live in Rome. "Live in Gyarus." I will live in Gyarus, but it
seems like a great smoke to live in Gyarus; and I depart to the
place where no man will hinder me from living, for that dwelling-place
is open to all; and as to the last garment, that is the poor body,
no one has any power over me beyond this. This was the reason why
Demetrius said to Nero, "You threaten me with death, but nature
threatens you." If I set my admiration on the poor body, I have
given myself up to be a slave: if on my little possessions, I also
make myself a slave: for I immediately make it plain with what I may
be caught; as if the snake draws in his head, I tell you to strike
that part of him which he guards; and do you he assured that
whatever part you choose to guard, that part your master will
attack. Remembering this, whom will you still flatter or fear?
"But I should like to sit where the Senators sit." Do you see that
you are putting yourself in straits, you are squeezing yourself.
"How then shall I see well in any other way in the amphitheatre?" Man,
do not be a spectator at all; and you will not be squeezed. Why do you
give yourself trouble? Or wait a little, and when the spectacle is
over, seat yourself in the place reserved for the Senators and sun
yourself. For remember this general truth, that it is we who squeeze
ourselves, who put ourselves in straits; that is, our opinions squeeze
us and put us in straits. For what is it to be reviled? Stand by a
stone and revile it; and what will you gain? If, then, a man listens
like a stone, what profit is there to the reviler? But if the
reviler has as a stepping-stone the weakness of him who is reviled,
then he accomplishes something. "Strip him." What do you mean by
"him"? Lay hold of his garment, strip it off. "I have insulted you."
Much good may it do you.
This was the practice of Socrates: this was the reason why he always
had one face. But we choose to practice and study anything rather than
the means by which we shall be unimpeded and free. You say,
"Philosophers talk paradoxes." But are there no paradoxes in the other
arts? and what is more paradoxical than to puncture a man's eye in
order that he may see? If any one said this to a man ignorant of the
surgical art, would he not ridicule the speaker? Where is the wonder
then if in philosophy also many things which are true appear
paradoxical to the inexperienced?

CHAPTER 26