_Seneca._ Let us reason a little upon style. I would set you right, and remove from before you the prejudices of a somewhat rustic education. We may adorn the simplicity of the wisest. _Epictetus._ Thou canst not adorn simplicity. What is naked or defective is susceptible of decoration: what is decorated is simplicity no longer. Thou mayest give another thing in exchange for it; but if thou wert master of it, thou wouldst preserve it inviolate. It is no wonder that we mortals, little able as we are to see truth, should be less able to express it. _Seneca._ You have formed at present no idea of style. _Epictetus._ I never think about it. First, I consider whether what I am about to say is true; then, whether I can say it with brevity, in such a manner as that others shall see it as clearly as I do in the light of truth; for, if they survey it as an ingenuity, my desire is ungratified, my duty unfulfilled. I go not with those who dance round the image of Truth, less out of honour to her than to display their agility and address. _Seneca._ We must attract the attention of readers by novelty, and force, and grandeur of expression. _Epictetus._ We must. Nothing is so grand as truth, nothing so forcible, nothing so novel. _Seneca._ Sonorous sentences are wanted to awaken the lethargy of indolence. _Epictetus._ Awaken it to what? Here lies the question; and a weighty one it is. If thou awakenest men where they can see nothing and do no work, it is better to let them rest: but will not they, thinkest thou, look up at a rainbow, unless they are called to it by a clap of thunder? _Seneca._ Your early youth, Epictetus, has been, I will not say neglected, but cultivated with rude instruments and unskilful hands. _Epictetus._ I thank God for it. Those rude instruments have left the turf lying yet toward the sun; and those unskilful hands have plucked out the docks. _Seneca._ We hope and believe that we have attained a vein of eloquence, brighter and more varied than has been hitherto laid open to the world. _Epictetus._ Than any in the Greek? _Seneca._ We trust so. _Epictetus._ Than your Cicero's? _Seneca._ If the declaration may be made without an offence to modesty. Surely, you cannot estimate or value the eloquence of that noble pleader? _Epictetus._ Imperfectly, not being born in Italy; and the noble pleader is a much less man with me than the noble philosopher. I regret that, having farms and villas, he would not keep his distance from the pumping up of foul words against thieves, cut-throats, and other rogues; and that he lied, sweated, and thumped his head and thighs, in behalf of those who were no better. _Seneca._ Senators must have clients, and must protect them. _Epictetus._ Innocent or guilty? _Seneca._ Doubtless.