Letter 7 — On Crowds (§12)

“Lay these words to heart, Lucilius, that you may scorn the pleasure which comes from the applause of the majority. Many men praise you; but have you any reason for being pleased with yourself, if you are a person whom the many can understand? Your good qualities should face inwards. Farewell. ↑ During the luncheon interval condemned criminals were often driven into the arena and compelled to fight, for the amusement of those spectators who remained throughout the day. ↑ The remark is addressed to the brutalized spectators. ↑ Frag. 302ᵃ Diels². ↑ Frag. 208 Usener.”