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

CAHP. II.

How he lived at Corinth.

a 1.1 IN his old age he took a voyage to Aegina, but was by the way taken by some pirates, the name of whose captain was Scirpalus. They carried him to Creet, & there exposed him to sale, they ask∣ed him what he could do, he answered, he could command men, and to the Cryer, he said, if any man want a Master let him buy me. Offe∣ring to sit down, they would not suffer him, (it being the custom of such as were to be sold for slaves, to leap up and down) tis no matter for that, saith he, Fishes are sold which way soever they lie, add∣ing, hee wondred that men being to buy a pot or vessel, examine it curiously on the inside, but if a man, they are satisfied with his look and outside. Pointing to a Corinthian richly attir'd that passed by, named Xeniades, sel me saith he, to that man, for he wants, a Master. To Xeniades as soon as he had bought him, he said, Be sure you do as I command you, he answer'd in the common prover∣bial verse.

The springs of Rivers upwards run.

Diogenes reply'd••, if being sick you had bought a Physician would you obey his advice, or would you say as before, The springs of Rivers upwards run.

His friends, according to Cleomenes, offered to redeem him, but he told them they were fools, for Lyons were not slaves to their Keepers, but the Keepers to the Lyons, for the property of ser∣vitude is to fear, and men fear Beasts.

b 1.2 Xeniades having bought him, carried him to Corinth,b 1.3 asking him what he could do, he answered, he knew how to command free persons. Xeniades wondring at his answer, set him at Liber∣ty, and delivered his Sons to his charge, saying, take then my Chil∣dren and command them.c 1.4 He put the Government of his family also into his hands,* 1.5 which he acquitted himself of excellently well in every thing, in so much that Xeniades said, he had brought a Good Genius into his House.

He did not suffer the young men that were under his charge, to exercise themselves as Wrastlers, but only till they were warm, and for their health sake. He taught them many sayings of Poets

by heart, and some of his own, and that they might more easily remember the full sum of Learning, he made a brief Collection thereof. He taught them at home to minister, using thin diet, and drinking water, to go negligently in habit, shaven, without coats, without shooes, and silent, looking upon themselves as they went. He brought them up likewise to Hunting. On the other side, they took great care of Diogenes, and recommended him to their Parents.

e 1.6 When Alexander was upon expedition against the Persian, many Philosophers came to salute him, the same duty he expected from Diogenes, who was at that time at the Craneum, a Gymnasi∣um in Corinth, where he lived idly, not minding Alexander. Alex∣ander therefore went and found him out sitting in the Sun, hee rose a little to look upon the great crowd of people that came a∣long with Alexander, who saluting him, asked Diognes what he would desire of him, he answer'd, that you would stand aside a little from betwixt me and the Sun. Hereat Alexander was so surpris'd, and so much admir'd his high mind, that his Attendants in re∣turning, laughing thereat, but I, saith he, were I not Alexander, would choose to be Diogenes.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Laert.
• b 1.2

  Laert.
• b 1.3

  Laert.
• c 1.4

  Gell.
• * 1.5

  ^p Lan••.
• e 1.6

  Plut. vit. Alex.