you are not nettled at it, then you may be sure that you have
begun the work.

CLXXVI

When you have brought yourself to supply the needs of the
body at small cost, do not pique yourself on that, nor if you
drink only water, keep saying on each occasion, I drink water!
And if you ever want to practise endurance and toil, do so unto
yourself and not unto others--do not embrace statues!

CLXXVII

When a man prides himself on being able to understand and
interpret the writings of Chrysippus, say to yourself:--
If Chrysippus had not written obscurely, this fellow would
have had nothing to be proud of. But what is it that I desire? To
understand Nature, and to follow her! Accordingly I ask who is
the Interpreter. On hearing that it is Chrysippus, I go to him.
But it seems I do not understand what he wrote. So I seek one to
interpret that. So far there is nothing to pride myself on. But
when I have found my interpreter, what remains is to put in
practice his instructions. This itself is the only thing to be
proud of. But if I admire the interpretation and that alone, what
else have I turned out but a mere commentator instead of a lover
of wisdom?--except indeed that I happen to be interpreting
Chrysippus instead of Homer. So when any one says to me, Prithee,
read me Chrysippus, I am more inclined to blush, when I cannot
show my deeds to be in harmony and accordance with his sayings.
CLXXVIII

At feasts, remember that you are entertaining two guests,
body and soul. What you give to the body, you presently lose;
what you give to the soul, you keep for ever.

CLXXIX

At meals, see to it that those who serve be not more in
number than those who are served. It is absurd for a crowd of
persons to be dancing attendance on half a dozen chairs.

CLXXX

It is best to share with your attendants what is going
forward, both in the labour of preparation and in the enjoyment
of the feast itself. If such a thing be difficult at the time,
recollect that you who are not weary are being served by those
that are; you who are eating and drinking by those who do
neither; you who are talking by those who are silent; you who are
at ease by those who are under constraint. Thus no sudden wrath