The history of philosophy, in eight parts by Thomas Stanley.

CHAP. X.

His Apophthegms.

a 1.1 OF his Apophthegmes are remembered these.

Being demanded what a man got by lying, he answe∣red, not to be believed when he spoke truth.

Being reproved for giving mony to a wicked man: I, saith he, gave it compassionating, not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the condition; but, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: or as Stobaeus, not to the man, but to humanity.

He used this saying frequently amongst his disciples and friends, the eye rec••ives light from the air, the soul ••rom learning.

Inveighing against the Athenians, he said, They had invented two things, Corn and Law; but made use only of one, the Corn.

He said, The root of learning is bitter, the fruit sweet.

Being demanded what growes old soonest, he answered, a Benefit.

Being demanded what is Hope, he answered, a waking Dream.

Diogenes the Cynick offered him a fig: Aristotle 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that Diogenes had prepared some sharp saying, in case he should have refused it, took the fig, telling Diogenes, he had lost both his figg and his conceit. Then throwing it up into the aire, and catching it, as boyes use to do, O worthy Dioge••es, said he, and re∣stored it.

He said, to Learning three things are requisite, Nature, Institution, Exercise.

Being told, that one had reviled him: When I am absent, said he, let him beat me too.

He said, Beauty was a better recommendation then any Letter. Others ascribe this to Diogenes, adding, that Ar••stotle called beauty, the gift of a specious ••orm.

He called Socrates a short-liv'd Tyranny; Plato, Natures Pre∣rogative; Theophrastus silent ••raud; Theocri••us, specious hurt; b 1.2 Carneades, a guardlesse Kingdome.

Being demanded what difference there is betwixt the learned and unlearned, he answered, as much as between the living and the dead.

He said, Learning in prosperity is an ornament, in adversity a refuge.

He said, they who educated children well, are more to be honoured, then they who beget them; for these only gave them life, others well-living.

To one, boasting of the greatnesse of his Country: That, saith he, is ••ot to be considered, but whether a man deserve to be of a great Country.

He said, Friends are one soul in two bodies.

He said, some men lived so sparingly as if they were to live alwaies, others so prodigally, as if they were to die to morrow.

To one that asked why we love the company of those that are fair; That, saith he, is a question for a blind man to ask.

Being asked what he had gotten by Philosophy, hee an∣swer'd, to do those things voluntar••ly, which others do for fear of the Law.

Being demanded how Disciples should profit most; he an∣swer'd, if they follow those that are before them, and stay not for those behind them.

To a foolish talker, who after a long Discourse said to him, I am afraid I have been tedious to you; not at all, answer'd he, for I did not mind you.

Being asked how we should behave our selves towards our Friends, he answer'd, as we would have them do towards us.

He said, Iustice is the vertue of giving to every one according to his desert.

He said, Learning was the best provision against old age.

He used, as Phavorinus relate•• in the second of his Commen∣taries, to say frequently, he who hath many friends hath none; which is ••••••••wise extant in the seventh book of his Ethicks.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 said,* 1.3 when things happen not as we would, we must will as they happen.

Seeing a youth very self-conceited,* 1.4 and withall ignorant; young man, saith he, I wish I were what you think your self, and my enemies what you are.

Seeing a young man proud of a fine Cloak,* 1.5 why boast you, saith he, of a Sheeps Fleece?

He said,* 1.6 they who demonstrate plain things, light a candle to see the Sun.

Being reviled by an impudent person; Thou,* 1.7 saith he, who art vers'd to bear all things, speakest them with delight, I who am not used to speak them, take no delight in hearing them.

Being demanded why he who taught others to speak,* 1.8 himselfe held his tongue, a whetstone, saith he, cannot cut, yet it sets an edge upon swords.

Being asked who can keep a secret,* 1.9 He, saith he, that can hold a glowing coal in his mouth.

Seeing a young man very neatly dress'd,* 1.10 are you not asham'd, saith he, when Nature made you a man, to make your self a woman.

A handsome young man,* 1.11 much courted, said to him, If I were hated of the Citizens as you are, I would hang my self; And I, reply'd he, would hang my self if I were lov'd by them as you are.

Being demanded how a man should come to be rich,* 1.12 he an∣swer'd; by being poor in desire.

It repented him of three things;* 1.13 that he had ever committed a se∣cret

to a Woman; that he had rid when he might have gone a foot; that he had lived one day not having his Will made.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Laert.
• b 1.2

  Meant per haps of that Carn••ades wh•• was Disci∣ple to Anaxa∣go••as.
• * 1.3

  Stob. ser. 28.
• * 1.4

  Ser. 45.
• * 1.5

  Ibid.
• * 1.6

  Ser. 46.
• * 1.7

  Ser. 101.
• * 1.8

  Ser. 128.
• * 1.9

  Ibid.
• * 1.10

  Ser. 161.
• * 1.11

  Ibid.
• * 1.12

  Serm.
• * 1.13

  Ser. 305.