Nor is this less repugnant to common sense, that an
intelligent and prudent man should not be equally affected
to equal good things, but should put no value on some,
and be ready to undergo and suffer any thing for others,
though the things themselves are neither greater nor less
one than another. For they say, It is the same thing to
abstain from the enjoyment of an old woman that has one
foot in the grave, and...since in both cases we do what
duty requires. And yet for this, as a great and glorious
thing, they should be ready to die; when as to boast of the
other would be shameful and ridiculous. And even Chrysippus himself in his commentary concerning Jupiter, and
in the Third Book of the Gods, says, that it were a poor,
absurd, and impertinent thing to glory in such acts, as proceeding from virtue, as bearing valiantly the stinging of a
wasp, or abstaining chastely from an old woman that lies
a dying. Do not they then philosophize against the common conception, who profess nothing to be more commendable than those things which yet themselves are ashamed
to praise? For how can that be desirable or to be approved, which is worthy neither of praise nor admiration,
but the praisers and admirers of which they esteem absurd
and ridiculous?
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