Wool and Milk, Not Grass
Begin by prescribing to yourself a character and demeanor you can preserve alone and in company. Be mostly silent or speak only what is needful. Avoid vulgar talk about gladiators, races, food, and especially men to blame or praise. Before anyone in power, expect to be shut out or ignored; if duty still requires going, bear what happens and never say it was not worth so much. A pure person still gets corrupted by a corrupted companion.
Key Insight
Demeanor is not performance for an audience—it is a standard you keep when no one is grading you. Company trains your mouth faster than your intentions do.
“Begin by prescribing to yourself some character and demeanor, such as you may preserve both alone and in company.”Explore full theme analysis
