Cic. What have they to do with it, that in no way can either help or favour it?
Tans. They have not to do with it, but with the soul, which, being so absorbed in one work or study, becomes remiss and careless in others.
Cic. Why does he call him insane?
Tans. Because he surpasses in knowledge.
Cic. It is usual to call insane those who know nothing.
Tans. On the contrary. Those are called insane who know not in the ordinary way, or who rise above the ordinary from having more intellect.
Cic. I perceive that thou sayest truly. Now tell me what are the pricks, the lightnings, and the chains?
Tans. Pricks are those experiences that stimulate and awaken the affection, to make it on the alert; lightnings are the rays of the present beauty, which enlighten those who watch and wait for them; chains are those effects and circumstances which keep fixed the eyes of attention and unite together the object and the powers.
Cic. What are the looks, the accents, and the customs?