Tusculan Disputations 3 ¶4–11 — Cicero (on the Stoics)

Cicero (on the Stoics), Tusculan Disputations 3 ¶4–11

We came down into the Academy when the day was already declining towards afternoon, and I asked one of those who were present to propose a subject for us to discourse on, and then the business was carried on in this manner: A. My opinion is, that a wise man is subject to grief. M. What, and to the other perturbations of mind, as fears, lusts, anger? For these are pretty much like what the Greeks call πάθη. I might call them diseases, and that would be a literal translation, but it is not agreeable to our way of speaking. For envy, delight, and pleasure are all called by the Greeks diseases, being affections of the mind not in subordination to reason; but we, I think, are right in calling the same motions of a disturbed soul perturbations, and in very seldom using the term diseases, though perhaps it appears otherwise to you. A. I am of your opinion. M. And do you think a wise man subject to these? A. Entirely, I think. M. Then that boasted wisdom is but of small account, if it differs so little from madness? A. What? does every commotion of the mind seem to you to be madness?