Aristotle coming to Athens in the seventeenth year of his age,
heard Socrates three years, whereas Socrates was put to death
when Laches was Archon, thirty two years before Nausigenes,
under whom Aristotle was seventeen years old.
Being recommended to Plato, he became his Disciple, and so
continued twenty years, as an Epistle of his to Philip (cited by
the old Interpreter of his life) did testifie.
Plato much loved him, and admired his acutenesse of appre∣hension,
and diligence in study; for which ( Philoponus saith)
Plato used to call him the Minde of the Schoole; and when he
was not at his Lectures, he would say, The Intellect is not here,
or, as Rhodiginus, The Philosopher of truth is absent. And compa∣ring
his acutenesse with the dulnesse of Xenocrates, Plato was
wont to say, What an horse, and what an asse have I to yoke toge∣ther:
Xenocrates needs a spur, Aristotle a bit.
Whilst he lived with Plato, he was extreamly studious, and
given to reading, insomuch that Plato called his house, the house
of the great Reader, and would often say, Let us go to the great
Readers house. This may be confirmed by that great number of
antient Authors which are cited in his works. And though La∣ertius
(either in his own, or Carneades's words) saith, that Ari∣stotle
hath thrust in as many sentences of old Authors in his
writings, as both Zeno and Chrysippus; yet, every one that is ac∣quainted
with the writings of Aristotle, knoweth how judici∣ously
and concisely he giveth an account of their opinions, not
for ostentation, but disquisition.
Some report there was a great enmity betwixt Plato and
Aristotle, which first arose from Plato's dislike of his manner of
habit: For, Aristotle wore rich garments, and rich shooes, and
contrary to Plato's rule, cut his hair short, and wore rings. He
had likewise (say they) a scornfull derision in his look, and te∣nacious
contradiction in his discourse, which Plato not appro∣ving,
preferred before him Xenocrates, Speusippus, Amyclas, and
others, to whom he communicated his Doctrine and many fa∣vours;
but repudiated Aristotle, who thereupon, whilst Plato
was yet alive, set up a School in opposition to him, in the Lyce∣um:
at which ingratitude, ••lato much troubled, said, Aristotle
kicks at us as young Colis at the damme that foaled them, when they have
sucked their sill, and for that reason, usually called Aristotle the
Colt.
They add, that Xenocrates being gone into his Country, and
Speusippus not well, Aristotle came into Plato's School with some
of his followers, and circumvented him with fallacious argu∣ments,
whereupon Plato retired to his own house, and there
taught privately, leaving Aristotle in possession of the Schoole,
which he kept, till Xenocrates returning, ejected him, and rein∣stated
Plato. The chiefe author of this report seemes to have