We shouldn't let our appearance scare people away from philosophy. Just as a philosopher should be cheerful and calm in other ways, he should also take care of his body. Look at me, people. I have nothing. I need nothing. See how I live without a house, without a city. I'm an exile with no home, yet I live with less worry and more happiness than the nobles and the rich. But look at my body too. Notice that my tough way of living hasn't hurt me. But imagine if someone says this while looking like a criminal — ragged clothes, haggard face. What god could convince me to try philosophy if it makes people look like that? No way. I wouldn't choose that path, even if it would make me wise.
For we ought not even by the appearance of the body to deter the multitude from philosophy; but as in other things, a philosopher should show himself cheerful and tranquil, so also he should in the things that relate to the body. See, ye men, that I have nothing, that I want nothing; see how I am without a house, and without a city, and an exile, if it happens to be so, and without a hearth I live more free from trouble and more happily than all of noble birth and than the rich. But look at my poor body also and observe that it is not injured by my hard way of living. But if a man says this to me, who has the appearance (dress) and face of a condemned man, what god shall persuade me to approach philosophy, if it makes men such persons? Far from it; I would not choose to do so, even if I were going to become a wise man.