Enchiridion · §22

εἰ φιλοσοφίας ἐπιθυμεῖς, παρασκευάζου αὐτόθεν ὡς καταγελασθησόμενος, ὡς καταμωκηθησόμενος ὑπὸ πολλῶν, ὡς ἐρούντων ὅτι "ἄφνω φιλόσοφος ἡμῖν ἐπανελήλυθεν". σὺ δὲ ὀφρὺν μὴ ἔχε, ἀλλὰ ἔχου τῶν βελτίστων ὡς ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ τεταγμένος εἰς τοῦτον τὸν τόπον· καὶ μέμνησο ὅτι ἐὰν μὲν ἐμμείνῃς, οἱ καταγελῶντές σε ὕστερον θαυμάσουσιν.

ei philosophias epithumeis, paraskeuazou autothen hōs katagelasthēsomenos, hōs katamōkēthēsomenos hupo pollōn, hōs erountōn hoti 'aphnō philosophos hēmin epanelēluthen'. su de ophrun mē eche, alla echou tōn beltistōn hōs hupo tou theou tetagmenos eis touton ton topon; kai memnēso hoti ean men emmeinēs, hoi katagelōntes se husteron thaumasousin.

If you desire philosophy, prepare from the outset to be laughed at and mocked by many, who will say: 'He has suddenly turned philosopher on us.' Do not put on airs; rather, hold fast to what seems best to you, as if you had been placed in this post by God. And remember: if you persevere, those who laughed at you will later admire you.

— Enchiridion 22

Source: Greek (Schenkl/Oldfather critical edition tradition) + Long 1877 English translation