The condition and characteristic of an uninstructed person is this: he
never expects from himself profit (advantage) nor harm, but from
externals. The condition and characteristic of a philosopher is this:
he expects all advantage and all harm from himself. The signs (marks)
of one who is making progress are these: he censures no man, he praises
no man, he blames no man, he accuses no man, he says nothing about
himself as if he were somebody or knew something; when he is impeded at
all or hindered, he blames himself; if a man praises him he ridicules
the praiser to himself; if a man censures him he makes no defence; he
goes about like weak persons, being careful not to move any of the
things which are placed, before they are firmly fixed; he removes all
desire from himself, and he transfers aversion ([Greek: echchlisin]) to
those things only of the things within our power which are contrary to
nature; he employs a moderate movement towards everything; whether he
is considered foolish or ignorant he cares not; and in a word he
watches himself as if he were an enemy and lying in ambush.