" . . . we must follow the old adage and avoid three things with
special care: hatred, jealousy, and scorn. And wisdom alone can
show you how this may be done. It is hard to observe a mean; we
must be chary of letting the fear of jealousy lead us into becoming
objects of scorn, lest, when we choose not to stamp others down,
we let them think that they can stamp us down. The power to
inspire fear has caused many men to be in fear. Let us withdraw ourselves in every way; for it is as harmful to be scorned as to be
admired.
One must therefore take refuge in philosophy; this pursuit,
not only in the eyes of good men, but also in the eyes of those
who are even moderately bad, is a sort of protecting emblem. For speechmaking at the bar, or any other pursuit that claims
the people’s attention, wins enemies for a man; but philosophy is
peaceful and minds her own business. Men cannot scorn her; she
is honoured by every profession, even the vilest among them. Evil
can never grow so strong, and nobility of character can never be
so plotted against, that the name of philosophy shall cease to be
worshipful and sacred.
Philosophy itself, however should be practiced with calmness
and moderation."
(Seneca, Moral Letter 14: "On The Reasons For Withdrawing From The World")