Neither is transpiration, as in plants, a thing to be valued, nor respiration, as in domesticated animals and wild beasts, nor the TERMreceiving of impressions by the appearances of things, nor being MOTIFmoved by desires as puppets by strings, nor assembling in herds, nor being nourished by food; for this is just like the act of separating and parting with the useless part of our food. What then is TERMworth being valued? To be received with clapping of hands? No. Neither must we value the clapping of tongues, for the praise which comes from the many is a clapping of tongues. Suppose then that thou hast given up this worthless thing called fame, what remains that is worth valuing? This in my opinion, to move thyself and to restrain thyself in conformity to thy proper constitution, to which end both all employments and arts lead. For every art aims at this, that the thing which has been made should be adapted to the work for which it has been made; and both the vine-planter who looks after the vine, and the horse-breaker, and he who trains the dog, seek this end. But the education and the teaching of youth aim at something. In this then is the value of the education and the teaching. And if this is well, thou wilt not seek anything else. Wilt thou not cease to value many other things too? Then thou wilt be neither free, nor sufficient for thy own happiness, nor TERMwithout passion. For of necessity thou must be envious, jealous, and suspicious of those who can take away those things, and plot against those who have that which is valued by thee. Of necessity a man must be altogether in a state of perturbation who wants any of these things; and besides, he must often find fault with the gods. But to TERMreverence and honour thy own mind will make thee content with thyself, and in harmony with society, and in agreement with the gods, that is, praising all that they give and have ordered.

Not valued is transpiration, as in plants, nor respiration, as in cattle and wild beasts, nor the TERMreceiving of impressions, nor being MOTIFtwitched by impulse like a puppet on strings, nor herding together, nor being fed — for this last is no better than voiding the residue of one's food. What, then, is TERMworth valuing? To be applauded? No — nor the clapping of tongues, for the praise of the many is just that, a clapping of tongues. So you have let fame go as well; what is left that is worth valuing? This, I think: to move and to hold yourself still according to your own constitution, the very end to which all pursuits and arts are directed. For every art aims at fitting the thing it makes to the work it was made for; the vine-dresser, the horse-breaker, the dog-trainer all seek this. And to what do rearing and teaching aim? There, then, is the valuable thing. If that is well with you, you will procure nothing else for yourself. Will you not stop valuing so many other things besides? Then you will be neither free, nor self-sufficient, nor TERMfree of passion; for you must needs envy, be jealous, look with suspicion on those able to take those things away, and plot against those who possess what you value. Whoever lacks any of these things must be wholly in turmoil, and must moreover often blame the gods. But TERMreverence and honour for your own mind will make you pleasing to yourself, well-attuned to your fellows, and in accord with the gods — praising, that is, all that they assign and ordain.