May 9

WHAT, then, would anybody have you dress yourself out to the utmost? By no means, except in those things where our nature requires it; in reason, principles, actions; but, in our persons, only as far as neatness, as far as not to give offence. But if you hear that it is not right to wear purple, you must go, I suppose, and roll your cloak in the mud, or tear it.— "But where should I have a fine cloak?" — You have water, man; wash it. "What an amiable youth is here! How worthy this old man to love and be loved!" — A fit person to be trusted with the instruction of our sons and daughters, and attended by young people, as occasion may require — to read them lectures on a dunghill! Every deviation proceeds from something human, but this approaches very nearly towards being not human.

EPICTETUS. DISCOURSES. Book iv. §11. ¶5.