How It Tempts Beginners

In beginners too, and in those who have as yet made only a little progress in strength of mind or in knowledge, it usually puffs up their minds: because of the quality of their voice, since they sing well; or because their bodies are worn thin; or because they are good-looking; or because they have rich and noble relatives; or because they have scorned a military career and honors. Sometimes it also persuades a man that if he had stayed in the world he would easily have won honors and riches, which perhaps he could never have obtained at all. It inflates him with an empty hope of uncertain things, and over things he never possessed it puffs him up with pride and vanity, as though he were someone who had scorned them. [a]