Because when you engage in the same things as the masses, you lower yourself to their level. - Epictetus

What makes for freedom and fluency in the practice of writing? Knowledge of how to write. The same goes for the practice of playing an instrument. It follows that, in the conduct of life, there must be a science to living well.

When you do anything from a clear judgment that it ought to be done, never shun the being seen to do it, even though the world should make a wrong supposition about it; for, if you don’t act right, shun the action itself; but, if you do, why are you afraid of those who censure you wrongly?

People find particular things, however, frightening; and it's when someone is able to threaten or entice us with those that the man himself becomes frightening.