But I don't want to drag you through endless side topics. I'll skip over what other philosophers think, since it would take forever to list and argue against all their views. Let's focus on our school — the Stoics. When I say "our school," I don't mean I'm locked into following any single Stoic leader. I have the right to think for myself too. I'll follow some of their ideas, but I'll ask others to clarify what they really mean. Maybe after I've shared all their views, and you ask for mine, I won't attack any of my predecessors. Instead, I'll say: "Let me add something to what they've already said."
However, that I may not draw you into digressions, I will pass over the opinions of other philosophers, because it would take a long time to state and confute them all: take ours. When, however, I say "ours," I do not bind myself to any one of the chiefs of the Stoic school, for I too have a right to form my own opinion. I shall, therefore, follow the authority of some of them, but shall ask some others to discriminate their meaning: perhaps, when after having reported all their opinions, I am asked for my own, I shall impugn none of my predecessors' decisions, and shall say, "I will also add somewhat to them."