This is from the beginning of de finibus bonorum et malorum
Cicero is writing on the philosopher’s problem in dealing with differing audiences. Some just don’t like philosophy at all, while others put up with a little philosophizing, but they want it done in a moderate manner. I think Cicero means that the latter like philosophers who “make them think”, but don’t try patience with close argumentation.
Qui autem, si maxime hoc placeat, moderatius tamen id uolunt fieri, difficilem quandam temperantiam postulant in eo, quod semel admissum coerceri reprimique non potest, ut propemodum iustioribus utamur illis, qui omnino auocent a philosophia, quam his, qui rebus infinitis modum constituant in reque eo meliore, quo maior sit, mediocritatem desiderent.
I think I’ve got the general idea, but some phrases bother me.
My stab at a translation: The ones however whom philosophy might please, if only it were done moderately, demand a difficult restraint in a pursuit which once set free cannot be limited or contained; we almost could get along better with those who dismiss philosophy altogether, than with these who want an inherently limitless inquiry to be hemmed in by moderation.
Difficult phrases:
si maxime hoc placeat
in reque eo meliore
quo maior sit