"First practice not letting people know who you are-keep your philosophy to yourself for a bit. In just the manner that fruit is produced-the seed buried for a season, hidden, growing gradually so it may come to full maturity. But if the grain sprouts before the stalk is fully developed, it will never ripen. . . . That is the kind of plant you are, displaying fruit too soon, and the winter will kill you."-EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 4.8.35b-37
("먼저 사람들이 당신이 누구인지 알지 못하게 하는 연습을 하십시오. 잠시 동안 당신의 철학을 스스로 간직하십시오. 마치 열매가 맺히는 방식처럼 씨앗이 한동안 땅속에 묻혀 서서히 자라나 완전히 성숙해질 때까지 숨겨져 있는 것과 같습니다. 하지만 줄기가 완전히 자라기 전에 싹이 트면 결코 열매를 맺을 수 없습니다. 당신도 그런 식물입니다. 너무 일찍 열매를 드러내면 겨울이 당신을 죽일 것입니다." - 에픽테토스, 담화록 4.8.35b-37)
After all you've read, it might be tempting to think: This stuff is great. I get it. I’m a Stoic. But it's not that easy. Just because you agree with the philosophy doesn't mean the roots have fully taken hold in your mind.
Fooling with books so you can sound smart or have an intimidating library is like tending a garden to impress your neighbors. Growing one to feed a family? That's a pure and profitable ...
