"But," Athenodorus continues, "it's hard to stay honest when you're surrounded by such vicious ambition. So many people will try to drag you off the right path. You'll face more obstacles than help. So we should pull back from politics and public life. Even a great mind can find room to grow in private life. Cages might crush the spirit of lions and wild animals, but that doesn't apply to humans. People often do their most important work in retirement."
"But," continues he, "because innocence is hardly safe among such furious ambitions and so many men who turn one aside from the right path, and it is always sure to meet with more hindrance than help, we ought to withdraw ourselves from the forum and from public life, and a great mind even in a private station can find room wherein to expand freely. Confinement in dens restrains the springs of lions and wild creatures, but this does not apply to human beings, who often effect the most important works in retirement.