When a man is proud because he can understand and explain the writings
of Chrysippus, say to yourself, If Chrysippus had not written
obscurely, this man would have had nothing to be proud of. But what is
it that I wish? To understand nature and to follow it. I inquire
therefore who is the interpreter? and when I have heard that it is
Chrysippus, I come to him (the interpreter). But I do not understand
what is written, and therefore I seek the interpreter. And so far there
is yet nothing to be proud of. But when I shall have found the
interpreter, the thing that remains is to use the precepts (the
lessons). This itself is the only thing to be proud of. But if I shall
admire the exposition, what else have I been made unless a grammarian
instead of a philosopher? except in one thing, that I am explaining
Chrysippus instead of Homer. When, then, any man says to me, Read
Chrysippus to me, I rather blush, when I cannot show my acts like to
and consistent with his words.