Inwardly, we ought to be different in all respects, but our exterior should conform to society. 1
Philosophy calls for plain living, but not for penance; and we may perfectly well be plain and neat at the same time.
I find in the writings of our Hecato that the limiting of desires helps also to cure fears:
“Cease to hope,” he says, “and you will cease to fear.”
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“Behaving like a human—however imperfectly—and fully embrace the pursuit that you’ve embarked on. And not to think of philosophy as your instructor, but as the sponge and egg white that relieve ophthalmia—as a soothing ointment, a warm lotion. Not showing off your obedience to the logos, but resting in it. Remember: philosophy requires only what your nature already demands.” — Marcus Aurelius ↩
