If someone has real talent, or just thinks they do when they don't, that person will get arrogant about it — unless they've been properly taught. Take a tyrant who says, "I'm the master of everyone!" Well, what can you actually do for me? Can you give me desires that nothing can block? How? Do you have the perfect ability to avoid what you want to avoid? Can you move toward your goals without making mistakes? How do you have this power? Look, when you're on a ship, do you trust yourself or the captain? When you're in a chariot, who do you trust but the driver? It's the same with every other skill. So what's your real power? "Everyone respects me."
If a man possesses any superiority, or thinks that he does when he does not, such a man, if he is uninstructed, will of necessity be puffed up through it. For instance, the tyrant says, I am master of all! And what can you do for me? Can you give me desire which shall have no hindrance? How can you? Have you the infallible power of avoiding what you would avoid? Have you the power of moving towards an object without error? And how do you possess this power? Come, when you are in a ship, do you trust to yourself or to the helmsman? And when you are in a chariot, to whom do you trust but to the driver? And how is it in all other arts? Just the same. In what, then, lies your power? All men pay respect to me.