Discourses, Against Those Who Wish to Be Admired

Epictetus — The Slave

What should we do then? This is what a real philosopher struggles with. Right now I don't know what's good or what's bad. Am I crazy? Yes. But suppose I say the good is found in things that depend on the will — everyone will laugh at me. Some old man with gold rings on every finger will come along. He'll shake his head and say: 'Listen, kid. It's fine that you want to do philosophy. But you should use your brain too. What you're doing is stupid. You learn logic from philosophers, but you know how to act better than they do.' Man, why are you blaming me if I already know this? What should I say to this fool? If I stay quiet, he'll explode. I have to speak like this: 'Forgive me, like you'd forgive someone in love. I'm not in control of myself. I'm crazy.'

Epictetus — The Slave Original

What should we do then? This is the inquiry of the true philosopher who is in labor. Now I do not see what the good is nor the bad. Am I not mad? Yes. But suppose that I place the good somewhere among the things which depend on the will; all will laugh at me. There will come some greyhead wearing many gold rings on his fingers, and he will shake his head and say: "Hear, my child. It is right that you should philosophize; but you ought to have some brains also; all this that you are doing is silly. You learn the syllogism from philosophers; but you know how to act better than philosophers do." Man why then do you blame me, if I know? What shall I say to this slave? If I am silent, he will burst. I must speak in this way: "Excuse me, as you would excuse lovers; I am not my own master; I am mad."