On listening

Because it does not tally that upon rising to leave the barber’s a person should feel the need to stand in front of the mirror and touch their head of hair, in order to inspect the haircut and the difference the trimming made, and yet upon leaving after having listened to some lecture or intellectual endeavour, they should feel no need for self-reflection right away, so as to come to understand whether their soul, having cast off some of its burdens and excesses, has become lighter and somewhat more mellow. “For, neither bath,” claimed Ariston, “nor speech that does not purify is of benefit.”