On the Happy Life, Section 27

Seneca — The Senator

So go find something soft and weak to attack with your criticism. But do you really have time to spy on other people's mistakes and judge everyone? To ask why this philosopher has such a big house, or why that one eats so well? You're looking at other people's tiny flaws while you're covered with huge problems of your own. It's like someone with a serious skin disease pointing and laughing at the small moles on beautiful people. Go ahead — criticize Plato for wanting money, criticize Aristotle for getting it, Democritus for ignoring it, Epicurus for spending it. Throw Phaedrus and Alcibiades in my face too, you who get your biggest thrill from copying our worst habits!

Seneca — The Senator Original

Wherefore, seek some soft and yielding object to pierce with your darts. But have you leisure to peer into other men's evil deeds and to sit in judgment upon anybody? to ask how it is that this philosopher has so roomy a house, or that one so good a dinner? Do you look at other people's pimples while you yourselves are covered with countless ulcers? This is as though one who was eaten up by the mange were to point with scorn at the moles and warts on the bodies of the handsomest men. Reproach Plato with having sought for money, reproach Aristotle with having obtained it, Democritus with having disregarded it, Epicurus with having spent it: cast Phaedrus and Alcibiades in my own teeth, you who reach the height of enjoyment whenever you get an opportunity of imitating our vices!