Do not undertake anything with a cold desire!
For you have never undertaken anything
after consideration , now having explored the whole matter
put it to a strict examination!
But you have undertaken it at hazard and with a cold desire ?
Oh! Human! Consider first what the matter is!
then your own Nature also - what it is able to bear!
If you are a wrestler look at your shoulder,
Thighs, your loins -
for different mean are naturally formed for different things!
Do you think you can be a philosopher?
Then are you ready to conquer desire -
Not to eat as you do now
Drink as you do now
Not to be angry or out of humor as you do now!
Are you ready to be - despised by yoour slaves
laughed at by those who meet you
Be in an inferior condition - as to magesterial office
in Honors ,in court of Justice
After having considered all of them completely
then if you think its proper for you to approach philosophy
Do so!
you would gain in exchange for these things-
Freedom from perturbation , Liberty and Tranquility!