Avoid long hair, an unkempt beard, an outspoken
dislike of silverware, sleeping on the ground and all other misguided means
to self-advertisement. The very name of philosophy, however modest the manner
in which it is pursued, is unpopular enough as it is: imagine what the reaction
would be if we started dissociating ourselves from the conventions of society.
Inwardly everything should be different but our outward face should conform
with the crowd. Our clothes should not be gaudy, yet they should not be dowdy
either. We should not keep silver plate with inlays of solid gold, but at the
same time we should not imagine that doing without gold and silver is proof
that we are leading the simple life.
Let our aim be a way of life not diametrically
opposed to, but better than that of the mob. Otherwise we shall repel and alienate
the very people whose reform we desire; we, shall make them, moreover, reluctant
to imitate us in anything for fear they may have to imitate us in everything.
The first thing philosophy promises us is the feeling of fellowship, of belonging
to mankind and being members of a community; being different will mean the abandoning
of that manifesto. We must watch that the means by which
we hope to gain admiration do not earn ridicule and hostility.
Our motto, as everyone one knows, is to live in conformity with nature: it is
quite contrary to nature to torture one's body, to reject simple standards of
cleanliness and make a point of being dirty, to adopt a diet that is not just
plain but hideous and revolting. In the same way as a craving for dainties is
a token of extravagant living, avoidance of familiar and inexpensive dishes
betokens insanity.
Philosophy calls for simple living, not for doing penance, and the simple way
of life need not be a crude one. The standard which I accept is this: one's
life should be a compromise between the ideal and the popular morality. People
should admire our way of life, but they should at the same time find it understandable.