有一種人，他對自然感情毫無所感，而且不為任何熱情所動。他像「堅固的岩石或馬爾培索斯的石頭」一樣，對愛與憐憫毫不動心，而且對一切事物皆視而不見，同時可以像Lynx那樣毫無謬誤地觀看一切，以墨繩測度一切，對一切過失皆不寬諒；只對自己滿足，認為只有自己有錢、健康，只有自己是君王，是自由，亦即認為自己在一切事物中是唯一的存在。他不需要朋友，也不是任何人的朋友，對神也懷著輕蔑之念。他認為人的行為全是愚蠢笨拙，而加以痛責嘲笑。看見這種人，哪一個不把它視為怪物，視為亡靈，以致於害怕得不能動彈?其實，這種野獸才是完整的賢人。
呵，我要請問一下，選舉的時候，到底有哪一個城鎮的人會選擇這樣的人做政府首長?有哪一個軍隊願意有這樣的將軍?再者，有哪一個女人要這樣的丈夫?哪一家店東要這樣的客人?哪一個僕人要這樣脾性的主人?
難道沒有一個人認為行為隨意自然的愚人比這種人更好嗎?這種愚人善於命令人，也能聽人的命令，而且能為伙伴所接受，也就是說能為大多數人所接受。這種愚人對妻子溫和、對朋友親切，用餐愉悅自然，使人樂意與之同住。而且能以他人事為己事，誰不願選擇他呢?
For who would not shun and startle at such a man, as at some unnatural accident or spirit? A man dead to all sense of nature and common affections, and no more moved with love or pity than if he were a flint or rock; whose censure nothing escapes; that commits no errors himself, but has a lynx's eyes upon others; measures everything by an exact line, and forgives nothing; pleases himself with himself only; the only rich, the only wise, the only free man, and only king; in brief, the only man that is everything, but in his own single judgment only; that cares not for the friendship of any man, being himself a friend to no man; makes no doubt to make the gods stoop to him, and condemns and laughs at the whole actions of our life? And yet such a beast is this their perfect wise man.
But tell me pray, if the thing were to be carried by most voices, what city would choose him for its governor, or what army desire him for their general? What woman would have such a husband, what goodfellow such a guest, or what servant would either wish or endure such a master?
Nay, who had not rather have one of the middle sort of fools, who, being a fool himself, may the better know how to command or obey fools; and who though he please his like, 'tis yet the greater number; one that is kind to his wife, merry among his friends, a boon companion, and easy to be lived with; and lastly one that thinks nothing of humanity should be a stranger to him?
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