  This contrast must not be undersold, for it is plausible to think  that the self-sufficiency of the philosopher makes him better off.  Appropriately ruled non-philosophers can enjoy the capacity to do  what they want only so long as their circumstances are appropriately  ruled, and this makes their success far less stable than what the  philosophers enjoy. Things in the world tend to change, and the  philosopher is in a much better position to flourish through these  changes. Those of us living in imperfect cities, looking to the  Republic for a model of how to live (cf. 592b), need to  emulate the philosopher in order to pursue stable, reliable success or  happiness.