Ἑρμότιμος ἢ Περὶ Αἱρέσεων

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67–68

Hermotimus Then, according to you, we shall never finish our quest nor be philosophers, but have to give it up and live the life of laymen. What you say amounts to that: philosophy is impossible and inaccessible to a mere mortal; for you expect the aspirant first to choose the best philosophy; and you considered that the only guarantee of such choice’s being correct was to go through all philosophy before choosing the truest. Then in reckoning the number of years required by each you spurned all limits, extended the thing to several generations, and made out the quest of truth too long for the individual life; and now you crown all by proving success doubtful even apart from all that; you say it is uncertain whether the philosophers have ever found truth at all.

Lycinus Could you state on oath that they have?

Hermotimus Not on oath, no.

Lycinus And yet there is much that I have intentionally spared you, though it merits careful examination too.

Hermotimus For instance?

Lycinus Is it not said that, among the professed Stoics, Platonists, and Epicureans, some do know their respective doctrines, and some do not (without prejudice to their general respectability)?

Hermotimus That is true.

Lycinus Well, don’t you think it will be a troublesome business to distinguish the first, and know them from the ignorant professors?

Hermotimus Very. 5