Book 4
8
It was thus, too, that Socrates concealed himself from the multitude; and some even came and desired him to introduce them to philosophers. Was he accustomed to be displeased, then, like us; and to say, What! do not you take me for a philosopher? No, he took them and introduced them; contented with merely being a philosopher, and rejoicing in feeling no annoyance that he was not thought one. For he remembered his business; and what is the business of a wise and good man,—to have many scholars? By no means. Let those see to it who have made this their study. Well, then; is it to be a perfect master of difficult theorems? Let others see to that too. What, then, was his position, and what did he desire to be? What constituted his hurt or advantage? If, said he, any one can still hurt me, I am accomplishing nothing; If I depend for my advantage upon another, I am nothing. Have I any wish unaccomplished? Then I am unhappy. To such a combat he invited every one, and, in my opinion, yielded to no one. But do you think it was by making proclamation, and saying, I am such a one? Far from it; but by being such a one. For it is folly and insolence to say, I am passive and undisturbed. Be it known to you, mortals, that while you are disturbed and vexed about things of no value, I alone am free from all perturbation. Are you, then, so little satisfied with your exemption from pain. that you must needs make proclamation: Come hither, all you who have the gout, or the headache, or a fever, or are lame, or blind; and see me, free from every distemper? This is vain and shocking, unless you can show, like Aesculapius, by what method of cure they may presently become as free from distempers as yourself, and can bring your own health as a proof of it.
