Has any man been preferred before you at a banquet, or in being
saluted, or in being invited to a consultation? If these things are
good, you ought to rejoice that he has obtained them; but if bad, be
not grieved because you have not obtained them. And remember that you
cannot, if you do not the same things in order to obtain what is not in
our own power, be considered worthy of the same (equal) things. For how
can a man obtain an equal share with another when he does not visit a
man’s doors as that other man does; when he does not attend him when he
goes abroad, as the other man does; when he does not praise (flatter)
him as another does? You will be unjust then and insatiable, if you do
not part with the price, in return for which those things are sold, and
if you wish to obtain them for nothing. Well, what is the price of
lettuces? An obolus perhaps. If then a man gives up the obolus, and
receives the lettuces, and if you do not give up the obolus and do not
obtain the lettuces, do not suppose that you receive less than he who
has got the lettuces; for as he has the lettuces, so you have the
obolus which you did not give. In the same way then in the other matter
also you have not been invited to a man’s feast, for you did not give
to the host the price at which the supper is sold; but he sells it for
praise (flattery), he sells it for personal attention. Give then the
price, if it is for your interest, for which it is sold. But if you
wish both not to give the price and to obtain the things, you are
insatiable and silly. Have you nothing then in place of the supper? You
have indeed, you have the not flattering of him, whom you did not
choose to flatter; you have the not enduring of the man when he enters
the room.