I once gave Aristophanes something to joke about. Ever since then, all the comic poets have made me their target for bitter jokes. But their attacks have only made my virtue shine brighter. Virtue benefits from being tested in public. No one understands how strong virtue is better than those who attack it and test its power. No one knows how hard flint is better than the person who strikes it. I stand open to all attacks, like a lone rock in shallow water. The waves beat against it constantly from every direction, but they can't move it or wear it down, no matter how many years they crash against it. Come at me, rush at me — I will defeat you simply by enduring what you throw at me. Whatever strikes something firm and unbreakable only hurts itself with its own force.
I once afforded Aristophanes with the subject of a jest: since then all the crew of comic poets have made me a mark for their envenomed wit: my virtue has been made to shine more brightly by the very blows which have been aimed at it, for it is to its advantage to be brought before the public and exposed to temptation, nor do any people understand its greatness more than those who by their assaults have made trial of its strength. The hardness of flint is known to none so well as to those who strike it. I offer myself to all attacks, like some lonely rock in a shallow sea, which the waves never cease to beat upon from whatever quarter they may come, but which they cannot thereby move from its place nor yet wear away, for however many years they may unceasingly dash against it. Bound upon me, rush upon me, I will overcome you by enduring your onset: whatever strikes against that which is firm and unconquerable merely injures itself by its own violence.