"You talk one way," our critic says, "but live another way." You bitter person, you who always show the worst hatred for the best people — this same accusation was thrown at Plato, at Epicurus, at Zeno. All of these philosophers taught how we should live, not how they actually lived. I speak about virtue, not about myself. When I criticize vices, I criticize my own first. When I have the strength, I will live as I should. Your spite, however poisonous it may be, will not stop me from pursuing what is best. That same poison you spray on others — the poison that chokes you — will not stop me from praising the life I should lead. I don't live that life yet, but I know I should. I will keep loving virtue and following her, even if I'm far behind and stumbling.
"You talk one way," objects our adversary, "and live another." You most spiteful of creatures, you who always show the bitterest hatred to the best of men, this reproach was flung at Plato, at Epicurus, at Zeno: for all these declared how they ought to live, not how they did live. I speak of virtue, not of myself, and when I blame vices, I blame my own first of all: when I have the power, I shall live as I ought to do: spite, however deeply steeped in venom, shall not keep me back from what is best: that poison itself with which you bespatter others, with which you choke yourselves, shall not hinder me from continuing to praise that life which I do not, indeed, lead, but which I know I ought to lead, from loving virtue and from following after her, albeit a long way behind her and with halting gait.