'My own decision to study philosophy was quite common then, though perhaps not run-of-the-mill, and this commitment to a bios theoretikos, to a contemplative way of life, already implied, even though I may not have known it, a noncommitment to the public. Old Epicurus' exhortation to the philosopher, lathe biosas, "live in hiding," frequently misunderstood as a counsel of prudence, actually arises quite naturally out of the way of life of the thinker. For thinking itself, as distinct from other human activities, not only is an activity that is invisible—that does not manifest itself outwardly—but also and in this respect perhaps uniquely, has no urge to appear or even a very restricted impulse to communicate to others. Since Plato, thinking has been defined as a soundless dialogue between me and myself; it is the only way in which I can keep myself company and be content with it. Philosophy is a solitary business, and it seems only natural that the need for it arises in times of transition when men no longer rely on the stability of the world and their role in it, and when the question concerning the general conditions of human life, which as such are properly coeval with the appearance of man on earth, gain an uncommon poignancy.'

'… a non-political, totally private way of life, the true fulfillment of Epicurus' lathe biōsas kai mē politeuesthai ("live in hiding and do not care about the world")…'

'Since dumb has nothing to lose, dumb owes nothing to anyone, and in that way it is free.'

'Among us, piracy is illegal and unjust; but among many foreigners it is not out of place. They say that the Cilicians deemed it actually to be glorious, so that they thought people killed during pirate raids worthy of honour. And in Homer Nestor, after welcoming Telemachus and his friends, says to them, "Or are you wandering without aim like pirates?"—but if piracy had been something out of place he would not have welcomed them as he did because of his suspicion that this was what they were.'

Refusal, curiosity, innovation

'On Instruments of Composition'

'… truly person to person, even if others are standing nearby.'

'I don't care about your case. I care about you.'

Forecast lookin like a math class.