Seneca, Moral Letters 52.7

Young men, indeed, must sometimes have free play to follow their impulses, but it should only be at times when they act from impulse, and when they cannot force themselves to be silent. 
 
Such praise as that gives a certain kind of encouragement to the hearers themselves, and acts as a spur to the youthful mind. But let them be roused to the matter, and not to the style; otherwise, eloquence does them harm, making them enamored of itself, and not of the subject. 
 
I shall postpone this topic for the present; it demands a long and special investigation, to show how the public should be addressed, what indulgences should be allowed to a speaker on a public occasion, and what should be allowed to the crowd itself in the presence of the speaker. 
 
There can be no doubt that philosophy has suffered a loss, now that she has exposed her charms for sale. But she can still be viewed in her sanctuary, if her exhibitor is a priest and not a peddler. Farewell. 

—from Seneca, Moral Letters 52 
 
Many people assume that Stoicism is about repressing the emotions, when it is really about providing order and balance to the emotions, but for someone who remains a slave to desire that will sound just as frightening. 
 
I spent far too long chasing after mere gratification, and the bitter irony was that I never even delighted in all those supposed pleasures, because my entire soul was in thrall to a frantic confusion. It was only when I started to tame myself that I actually began to experience happiness. 
 
Of course, there will be times when I cry out loud or jump for joy, and it would be a shame if I twisted a quest for calm into a life of cold and heartless drudgery. The adventure of youth is especially inclined to excitement, for all of that vitality demands a release, though I find with age that a serene satisfaction ends up running so much deeper. Yet whether my temperament is exuberant or reserved, the trick is to keep both hands firmly on the wheel. 
 
I have indeed found myself exhilarated by philosophical insights, but Seneca’s rule must be heeded, that I be moved by the truth of what is said, and not swept away by the charms of the one who says it. Understanding is the key to not permitting our impressions to hold us hostage, and so I should always attend to the why instead of being diverted by the allure of the how. 
 
For all its energy, a raucous crowd is an undisciplined crowd, which flies in the face of everything philosophy seeks to inspire. Beware of the fellow who tries to market philosophy as a flashy product, all wrapped up in clever slogans and alluring images, since he is not approaching you in good faith, and he will leave you with empty pockets to go along with your empty soul. 
 
While the sophist tries to astound you with his words, the philosopher works to instill a profound respect for what the words ought to signify. Piety has more power than pizzazz. Choose your teachers accordingly. 

—Reflection written in 4/2013