The lives, opinions, and remarkable sayings of the most famous ancient philosophers. The first volume written in Greek, by Diogenes Laertius ; made English by several hands ...

The LIFE of STILPO.

STilpo, born in Megara of Greece, was the Disciple of some of Euclid's Scholars; as also of Thrasymachus the Corinthian, a fa∣miliar acquaintance of Ichthyas's. But he so far surpassed his Teachers, and all o∣thers for Invention and Eloquence, that he wanted but little of drawing all Greece after him to Megara. Philip the Megaric gives this account of him:

He forsook Theophrastus to follow Me∣trodorus, who was altogether addicted to Contemplation, and Timagoras of Gelos: And at the same time Clitarchus and Sim∣mi••s left Aristotle the Cyrenaean for the same reason.

Among the Dialectics, Paeonins forsaking Aristides, Diphilus of Bosphorus the Son of Euphantus, and Myrmex the Son of Exe∣naetus, studious of Disputation, became his Admirers. He also won Phrasidemus the Peripatetic, a great Naturalist, and Alci∣nous, the most eminent Orator of all who then flourish'd in Greece, to be his Hearers; together with Crates, Phoenix, Zeno, and several others, who all flock'd to him.

He was a Man deeply Politic; and be∣sides his Wife Nicarete, kept a Mistress in his House, as Onetor testifies. His Daugh∣ter, who prov'd none of the chastest, he marry'd to Simmias of Syracuse, his Kins∣man: Of whose Incontinency when Stil∣po was inform'd, and told moreover, that she was a disgrace to her Parents, She is not, said he, so great a shame to me, but that I am a greater Ornament to her. Ptolomy Soter kindly entertain'd him, when the victorious Enemy had subdu'd his Native Country; and giving him a round Sum of Money, requested his Company into Aegypt: Thereupon he return'd the best part of the Money, refusing the Voyage, and retir'd to Aegina, till Ptolomy's return. Nor was Demetrius less kind; for after he had taken Megara, he took particular care to save the Philosopher's House, and that the Plunder taken out of it should be restor'd him. But when the Victor de∣manded an Inventory of his Goods, to see whether he miss'd nothing, he made an∣swer, that every thing was safe, for no Man could deprive him of his Eloquence, and his Learning: And after this discoursing to the Conqueror concerning Humane Be∣neficence, he did it with that force of Elo∣quence, that the vanquish'd Victor became not only his Admirer but his Hearer.

It is reported of him, That he put this Question to a certain person concerning the Statue of Minerva made by Phydias, Is Minerva the Daughter of Jove a God? To which the other answering Yes. But this Minerva, said he, is the Daughter of Phydias, not of Jupiter: Which the other acknowledging; Then this, said he, can be no God. For which, when he was ci∣ted to the Areopagus, he disdain'd to eat his words, but rather affirm'd that he had spok'n nothing but what was true; for that she was no God, but a Goddess, in regard the Gods were all Masculine: However the Areopagites, never a jot the more pacify'd for that, commanded him to depart the City. At which time Theo∣dorus, nick-nam'd the God, is reported to have droll'd upon him, asking him, How he came to be so knowing; or whether he took up her Coats and look'd? For he was a per∣son of a daring confidence; but Stilpo a Man very reserv'd, yet extreamly faceti∣ous. And therefore when Crates ask'd him whether the Gods were pleas'd with the Prayers of Mortals, and the Divine Honours continually paid 'em? Fool, said he, never ask Questions concerning these things in the Street, but when thou art pri∣vate in thy Study.

Which very answer is reported to have been given by Bion to one that ask'd him, whether there were any Gods?

Wretched Old Man, canst thou the Crowd remove, That I may loudly speak of things above.

Moreover Stilpo was a plain dealing person, without fraud or guile, and one that would not despise the most ig∣norant person alive. And therefore when Crates the Cynic would not answer to a question propounded to him, only let a fart; I knew, said he, thou wouldst speak any thing rather than what it behov'd thee to do.

Another time, a certain person presen∣ting him a dry Figg, and then propound∣ing a question to him; he presently eat the Figg; upon which the other crying out, that he had lost his Figg: Yes, and the question too, reply'd Stilpo, which thou gav'st me in Earnest for question.

Another time beholding Crates scorch'd and burnt in the Winter time, Truly Cra∣tes, said he, in my opinion thou want'st a new Cloak; meaning, as well to hide his knavery, as to keep him warm: To whom the old Man, being at present some∣what dash'd out of count'nance presently retorted,

Time was when I at Megara have seen Stilpo in rags, that scarce would hide his skin, Shivering and shaking, tho' so near the rocks Where Typhon's Cavern still with Sulphur smoaks, At length for a new Coat to warm his Breech, I'th'open streets he needs would Vertue teach, Till all his friends so thick about him got, That tatter'd Vertue had like t'ha' gone to pot.

He is reported, so to have bewitch'd the Ears of the People at Athens, that the very Slaves flock'd out of the Public Bridewells to see him; at what time, to a certain Person saying to him, Look—how they wonder at thee, as if thou wer't some strange wild Beast,—He reply'd, No, no, 'tis because they never saw a true Man before.

Being a most sharp and quick Dispu∣tant, he deny'd all manner of Species; and affirm'd, That he who said he was a Man, was no Man. For he must be either this, or that Man. But why rather this Man, than that Woman? Therefore, no Man. And again: This Pot-herb which here we see is no Pot-herb: For Pot-herbs were a thousand years ago; therefore, this is no Pot-herb.

It is reported, that as he was talking

with Crates, he broke off abruptly in the middle of his Speech, to go to the Fish∣mongers. At what time, when the other pull'd him back, and told him, he left his discourse behind him: No, said he, I keep my discourse to my self, but I leave thee. For my discourse can tarry, but the Fish will be gone.

He is said to have been the Author of nine insipid Dialogues, entitl'd, Moschus, Aristippus or Callias, Ptolomy, Chaerecrates, Metrocles, Anaximenes, Epigenes, To his Daughter, and Aristotle.

Heraclides asserts that Zeno, the Foun∣der of the Stoic Philosophy, was one of his Followers. And Hermippus assures us, that he was very old when he dy'd, and that he drank a lusty draught of Wine, to the end he might the sooner expire. Thereupon we made him this Epigram.

Stilpo of Megara perhaps thou know'st, Him up and down by various fortune tost, The sad Distempers of old Age o'retook. At last, quite weary of the ponderous yoak, A nimbler Charioteer he found to drive The lingring Chariot of his Irksome life; Calls for two juggs of Wine, and those pour'd down, The Curtain draws, and Coachman, crys, drive on.

Sophilus also the Comic Poet, was very severe upon him, in his Play call'd the Wedding.

Stilpo, to hasten death, what so provok'd thee? But 'twas Charinus Plaguy Problem choak'd thee.