If you desire philosophy, prepare yourself from the beginning to be ridiculed, to expect that many will sneer at you, and say, He has all at once returned to us as a philosopher; and whence does he get this arrogant look for us? Do not show an arrogant look; but hold on to the things which seem to you best as one appointed by God to this station. And remember that if you abide in the same principles, these men who first ridiculed will afterwards admire you; but if you shall have been overpowered by them, you will bring on yourself double ridicule.
Epictitus 22
He came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? … Where then did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house.” And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief in him.
Matthew 13.54-58
Do not let others who are closest to you stop you because they don’t approve. Believe in yourself and push through any rejection that may seem louder simply because it is closer. Like Epictitus says if you let your friends and family stop you as soon as you begin you only embarrass yourself more. Do bigger better things and soon these original “haters” will tell everyone else how they knew you once.
