On this account Decius was much troubled by the philosopher's story.

When the wound had been attended to, he besought Simplicius not to go forth again to-day, and with some difficulty prevailed.
'Why should it perturb you, O most excellent Decius,' said the sage, 'that a lover of wisdom is an offence to the untaught and the foolish?
Was it not ever thus?
If philosophy may no longer find peace at Athens, is it likely that she will be suffered to dwell at ease in Rome ?' 'Alas, no!' admitted Decius.

'But why, dear master, should you invite the attacks of the ignorant ?' 'I do no such thing.

I live and act as seems good to me, that is all.
Should no one have the courage to do that, what hope would there be, O Decius, for that most glorious liberty, the liberty of the mind ?' The listener bent his head abashed.

Then Simplicius began to read from the manuscript, and Decius, who knew Greek fairly well--he had lately completed certain translations from Plato, left unfinished by Boethius--gave reverent attention.