ΠΕΡΙ ΤΟΥ ΣΟΦΟΥ (original) (raw)
The nature of the wise
Harm by the hand of humanity arises through either hatred or through jealousy or through contempt, which the wise person overcomes by calculation.1 Furthermore once one becomes wise one never again inherits that adversarial disposition nor conforms willingly [to such a disposition]; they will be more affected by passions,2 but [this] will not be an impediment toward their wisdom.3 Yet a person cannot become wise with every physical condition, nor in every cultural context.
The conduct of the wise
118 But even if the wise were tortured on a rack, they would be happy,4 and only the wise will have gratitude for friends both present and absent alike through both word and through deed.5 However, when tortured on the rack, at some point they both moan and wail.6 The wise will not have intercourse with a woman so far as the laws forbid, so affirms Diogenes [of Tarsus, c. 2nd-century BCE] in the Epitome of the Ethical Doctrines of Epicurus.7 Nor will they punish servants; rather they will empathize with them and remit those of excellent character.8 They think that the wise should not suffer passionate desire, nor worry about entombment, nor [believe] that romance is sent by god, so writes Diogenes in the twelfth [book].9 They will not make flowery speeches.10 Casual sex, they affirm, never benefitted anyone, so [be] grateful if it caused no harm.
The life of the wise
119 Nevertheless the wise person will marry and will make children, so Epicurus [affirms] in Puzzles and On Nature. But only according to the circumstances of life will they one day marry. Although [some] will refuse them.11 They will not speak foolishly under the influence of drinking, affirms Epicurus in the Symposium. Nor will they meddle in politics, as in the first book of On Lives; nor will they tyrannize; nor will they bark like a Cynic, as in the second book of On Lives; nor will they beg. But even if their optics became impaired, they would not walk out of their own life, 120as he says in the same work [_On Lives_]. But the wise will grieve, according to Diogenes in the fifth book of Selections;12 and they will serve jury duty,13 and they will leave behind writings, 14 but will not make public endorsements,15 and they will take precautions for their possessions.16
The mind of the wise
They are likely to love the countryside,17 to fight fate18 and never abandon a friend. They will make plans to gain public approval only so far as to avoid being treated with contempt.19 They will enjoy themself more than others by theorizing.20
The piety of the wise
They will also erect monuments;21 if intended for them then they would possess indifference. 22 Only the wise will rightly hold dialogue about both music and poetry;23 and they would not expend energy writing about poems, 24 neither inflecting wisely one way nor another.25 They will also make money, but only from wisdom, if wanting.26 And they will in a time of crisis serve a monarch;27 and they will thereupon exalt anyone after being corrected;28 They will establish a school,29 but not in order to lead a mob; and they will gain notoriety in public, but not enthusiastically; they will also be opinionated and will not be puzzled;30 and even when dreaming will still be the same,31 and in defense of loved ones will at some time be ready to die.32
They hold that mistakes are not all equally severe,33 and the harmony that to some is good for others is indifferent;34 then [they hold] that courage does not come about by nature, but by gaining an advantage through calculation;35 also that friendship [arises] according to the needs [from nature];36 Nevertheless it will always be beneficial to offer friendship just as [it will always be beneficial] for us to plant seeds in the earth, thus [friendship] itself cultivates those communities that [work together to] perfect the pleasures. 121In two ways we conceive happiness: both possessing the highest [pleasure], such as does a god, without increase; and that which separately [possesses] addition and subtraction of pleasures37.