BOOK III. I. 20-24

"...my fellow-citizens, inasmuch as you are nearer akin to me." original: "Apologia"—This is a paraphrase of Socrates' defense speech in Plato's Apology, sections 29C and 30A, where he argues that his moral duty is to those closest to him.

21 Are you then so inquisitive, Socrates, and such a meddler? Why do you care what we are doing?

"Why, what is it you are saying? Since you are my partner and my kinsman, yet you neglect yourself and provide the State with a bad citizen, your family with a bad kinsman, and your neighbors with a bad neighbor."

22 "Well, who are you?"

At this point, it takes a bold person to say, "I am the one who must take an interest in humanity." For an ordinary ox does not dare to stand against a lion; referencing a common Stoic metaphor where the "lion" represents a tyrant or a great challenge, and the "bull" represents the rare, courageous individual who protects the herd. but if a bull comes forward and withstands him, say to that bull, if you like, "And who are you?" or "What do you care?"

Man, 23 in every species, nature produces some superior individual—among cattle, dogs, bees, and horses. Please, do not say to the superior individual, "Well then, who are you?" If you do, it will find a voice from somewhere and reply to you: "I am like the purple thread original: "toga praetexta"—This refers to the bright red or purple stripe on the border of a Roman magistrate’s toga. It symbolizes the small part of a garment that gives the whole piece its character and distinction. in a cloak; do not expect me to look like the rest, and do not blame my nature because it has made me different from the rest."

24 What follows then? Am I that kind of superior person? Far from it. And are you the kind of person capable of listening to the truth? I wish you were! But nevertheless, since I have somehow been condemned to wear a grey beard and a rough cloak, original: "tribon"—The cheap, coarse cloak worn by philosophers, particularly Cynics and Stoics, to signal their rejection of luxury. and you are coming to me as if to a philosopher, I shall not treat you cruelly, nor act as though I have given up hope for you.