CHAP. I.
His Life.
THe Cynicks are derived from Antisthenes; Disciple of Socrates, who, being most pleased with those discourses of his Master, which treated of To∣lerance and Laboriousnesse, instituted this Sect.a 1.1 He was born at Athens, his Father an Athenian named Antisthenes also; his Mother a Thracian, or, as Plutarch, a Phrygian, in whose defence, to those who reproached him that she was a Forreigner, he answer'd Cibele the Mother of the Gods was a Phrygian. He likewise derided the Athenians for boasting of their being Natives, saying, they were nothing more noble then snailes and Locusts.b 1.2 Neither did Socrates the lesse esteem him; but on the contrary, hearing that he had behav'd himself valiantly at the Fight at Tanagra, he said of him, I knew two Parents both Athenians could not beget so excellent a Person. He first heard Gorgias the Orator, whence his Dialogues are written in a Rhetoricall stile, consisting chiefly in verity and exhortation. Hermippus saith, at the Istmian meeting, he used to make Orations in praise and dispraise of the Athenians, Thebans and Lacedemonians, before all the assembly; But seeing many of the Citizens come thither he refrained.
Next he applyed himself to Socrates, and profited so much un∣der him, that he counselled his Scholers, to become his fellow-di••∣ciples under that Master. He lived in the Piraeum, and went every day 40. Stadia, to hear Socrates.
He affected even whilst he was Disciple to Socrates to go in poor habit, andc 1.3 once having turned the torn part of his garment outer∣most, Socrates spying it, said, I see vain-glory through a hole; or, as Aelian, do you use this ostentation before us also?
d 1.4 Upon the death of Socrates he was the occasion of banishment to Anytus, and of death to Melitus; for Melitus meeting with some young men of Pontus, invited to Athens by the same of Socrates, he brought them to Anytus, telling them he was wiset then Socrates, whereupon the standers by in indignation, turned them both ou•• of the Citty; of which already in the life of Socrates.