The thing is manifest; and nature daily informs us how few things there are, and how trifling they are, of which she really stands in need.
XXXVI.

Let us inquire, then, if obscurity, the want of power, or even the being unpopular, can prevent a wise man from being happy.

Observe if popular favor, and this glory which they are so fond of, be not attended with more uneasiness than pleasure.

Our friend Demosthenes was certainly very weak in declaring himself pleased with the whisper of a woman who was carrying water, as is the custom in Greece, and who whispered to another, "That is he--that is Demosthenes." What could be weaker than this?
and yet what an orator he was! But although he had learned to speak to others, he had conversed but little with himself.
We may perceive, therefore, that popular glory is not desirable of itself; nor is obscurity to be dreaded.

"I came to Athens," saith Democritus, "and there was no one there that knew me:" this was a moderate and grave man who could glory in his obscurity.