BOOK III. XXVI. 15-22
from reason, and then to have made that something secure? Why, did you ever see anyone building a cornice all around without first having a wall about which to build it?[1][† 1] And what kind of doorkeeper is placed on guard where there isn't any door? But you practise to get the power to demonstrate; demonstrate what? You practise to avoid being shaken by sophisms; shaken from what? Show me first what you are maintaining, what you are measuring, or what you are weighing: and after that, and under those conditions, show me your scales or your bushel-measure. Or how long will you keep measuring ashes? Are not these what you ought to be demonstrating, the things, namely, that make men happy, that make their affairs prosper for them as they desire, that make it unnecessary for them to blame anybody, and to find fault with anybody, but to acquiesce in the government of the universe? Show me these. "See, I do show you," a man says; "I will analyse syllogisms for you." Slave, this is a mere measuring instrument, it is not the thing measured. 20That is why you are now being punished for what you neglected; you tremble, lie awake, take counsel with everyone, and, if your plans are not likely to win the approval of all men, you think that your deliberations have been faulty.
And then you fear hunger, as you fancy. Yet it is not hunger that you fear, but you are afraid that you will not have a professional cook, you will not have another servant to buy the delicacies, another to put on your shoes for you, another to dress you, others to give you your massage, others to follow at your heels, in order that when you have undressed
- ↑ The figure is reminiscent of Plato, Rep. VII, 534 E
- ↑ μηδενὶ τειχίῳ περιβαλόμενον αὐτον Sb (περιβαλόμενον Schenkl): μηδενὶ τειχίον περιβαλλόμενον αὐτὸ αὐτοῦ S. The correct form of the text is highly uncertain, and the version in Sb is acceptable only as meeting in a general way the requirement of the context.
