Never proclaim yourself a philosopher; nor make
much talk among the ignorant about your principles,
but show them by actions. Thus, at an entertainment, do not discourse how people ought to eat; but
eat as you ought. For remember that thus Socrates
also universally avoided all ostentation. And when
persons came to him, and desired to be introduced
by him to philosophers, he took them and introduced
them; so well did he bear being overlooked. So if
ever there should be among the ignorant any discussion of principles, be for the most part silent. For
there is great danger in hastily throwing out what is
undigested. And if any one tells you that you know
nothing, and you are not nettled at it, then you may
be sure that you have really entered on your work.
For sheep do not hastily throw up the grass, to show
the shepherds how much they have eaten; but, inwardly digesting their food, they produce it outwardly
in wool and milk. Thus, therefore, do you not make
an exhibition before the ignorant of your principles;
but of the actions to which their digestion gives
rise.
[p. 2240]
The Works of Epictetus: His Discourses, in Four Books, the Enchiridion, and Fragments. Epictetus. Thomas Wentworth Higginson. translator. New York. Thomas Nelson and Sons. 1890.
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