After observing that philosophy exercises some influence even over those who do not go deeply in it, just as people sitting in a shop of perfumes carry away with them some of the odour, he adds, "Do we not, however, know some who have been among the audience of a philosopher for many years, and have been even entirely uncoloured by his teaching?
Of course I do, even most persistent and continuous hearers; whom I do not call pupils, but mere passing auditors of philosophers.

Some come to hear, not to learn, just as we are brought into a theatre for pleasure's sake, to delight our ears with language, or with the voice, or with plays.

You will observe a large portion of the audience to whom the philosopher's school is a mere haunt of their leisure.

Their object is not to lay aside any vices there, or to accept any law in accordance with which they may conform their life, but that they may enjoy a mere tickling of their ears.

Some, however, even come with tablets in their hands, to catch up not _things_ but _words_.