Book 3, Chapter 21

50 “Some Epicureans, excellent men—for no school is less malicious—complain that I speak against Epicurus with partisan zeal. Of course: we are competing for office or rank! To me the highest good seems to lie in the soul, to him in the body; to me in virtue, to him in pleasure. And they fight, even calling on their neighbors for support—and there are plenty who immediately flock to them. For my part, I say I do not mind, and will accept whatever they decide as settled.

51 “What is at issue? The Punic War? Even on that subject, when Marcus Cato and Lucius Lentulus differed, there was never any quarrel between them. These men act far too angrily, especially since the view they defend is not a very spirited one: they would not dare to speak for it in the Senate, in the assembly, before the army, or before the censors. But we shall deal with them another time, and in such a spirit that I shall set up no contest, but readily yield if they speak the truth. I shall only remind them that, even if it is entirely true that the wise person refers everything to the body—or, to put it more respectably, does nothing except what is advantageous, or refers everything to his own interest—since such views win no applause, they should enjoy them privately and cease speaking so grandly.”

50 “Some Epicureans complain that I’m making a point of attacking Epicurus. They’re excellent people—no group is less malicious. Of course: we’re fighting over office or status, aren’t we? I think the greatest good is in the mind; he puts it in the body. I put it in virtue; he puts it in pleasure. They fight and even call on their neighbors to help—and plenty of them rush over immediately. I’m the one who says I don’t mind, and will accept whatever they decide.

51 “What is this, a debate about the Punic War? Even when Marcus Cato and Lucius Lentulus disagreed on that subject, they never fought each other over it. These people are much too angry, especially since the view they’re defending isn’t particularly brave. They wouldn’t dare argue for it in the senate, in a public meeting, before an army, or in front of the censors. But we’ll deal with them another time. I’ll do it without starting any fight, and I’ll readily give way to them if they’re telling the truth. I’ll only offer this warning. Suppose it’s completely true that a wise person judges everything by the body—or, to put it more respectably, does nothing unless it pays, or judges everything by personal advantage. Since these ideas aren’t popular, they should enjoy them privately and stop boasting.”