And this, too, affords no small occasion for anxieties – if you are
bent on assuming a pose and never reveal yourself to anyone frankly, in
the fashion of many who live a false life that is all made up for show;
for it is torturous to be constantly watching oneself and be fearful of
being caught out of our usual role. And we are never free from concern if
we think that every time anyone looks at us he is always taking-our
measure; for many things happen that strip off our pretence against our
will, and, though all this attention to self is successful, yet the life
of those who live under a mask cannot be happy and without anxiety. But
how much pleasure there is in simplicity that is pure, in itself
unadorned, and veils no part of its character! Yet even such a life as this
does run some risk of scorn, if everything lies open to everybody; for there
are those who disdain whatever has become too familiar. But neither does
virtue run any risk of being despised when she is brought close to the eyes,
and it is better to be scorned by reason of simplicity than tortured by perpetual
pretence.