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

CHAP. V.

His Apophthegmes.

OF his Apophthegmes are remembered these: Of a man very finely drest, stepping lightly over a Kennell; He doth not care

for the dirt,* 1.1 saith he, because he cannot see his face in it.

A certain Cynick came to him to borrow Oyle, saying, he had none left: Zeno deny'd him, and as he was going away; Now, saith he, consider, which of us two are the more impudent.

Cremonides,* 1.2 whom he much affected, and Cleanthes sitting down beside him, he arose; whereat Cleanthes wondring, I have heard good Physicians say, saith he, that the best remedy for tum••urs is rest.

Two sitting by him at a Feast, he that was next him hit the other with his foot: Zeno hit him that was next him with his knee, and turning him to him, What then think you, saith he, that you have done to him that sits below you.

To one that loved the company of boyes, Neither have those Masters, saith he, any wit, who converse••l••ies with the boyes, nor the boyes themselves.

He said that elegant speeches were like Alexandrian silver, fair to the eye, and figur'd like mony, but not a whit of the more value. Speeches which are otherwise, he likened to Attick Te∣tradrachmes, which had a rough stamp, but, were of greater value.

Aristo his Disciple discoursing many things foolishly, some petulantly, others confidently, It cannot be, saith he, but your Fa∣ther was drunk when you were begot: whereupon himselfe being ve∣ry concise of speech, he called him the ••alker.

To a great eater,* 1.3 who left nothing for those that eat with him, he caused a great fish to be set before him, and immediately to be taken away; the other looking upon him, What, said he, do you think your companions suffer every day, seeing that you cannot suffer my greedinesse once?

A young man,* 1.4 who question'd something more curiously then suited with his age, he brought to a Glasse, and bad him look in it, and then asked him, whether he thought that question agreed with that face.

To one that said, he disliked many things of Antisthenes wri∣ting, he brought his Chria of Sophocles, and asked him, if there were any thing therein excellent: The other answered, he knew not: Are you not ashamed then (replyed Zeno) if Antisthe••es have said any thing ill, you select and remember that: but if any thing ex∣cellent, you are so far from remembring, as not to minile it?

To one that said, the speeches of Philosophers were short You say very true, saith he, so should t••eir very syllables be, as much as is possible.

One saying of Polemon, that he proposed some things, and said others: He frowning, said, What rate do you set upon things that are given?

He said, that a Disputant should have the voice and lungs of a Co∣median, but not the loudnesse.

To those that speak well, he said, we should allow a place to hear, as to skilfull Artificers to see; on the other side, the hearer must so attend to what is spoken, that he take no time to censure.

To a young man that spoke much; your ears, saith he, are fallen into your tongue.

To a handsome youth who said, that he thought that in his opinion, a wise man ought not to love: Nothing, saith he, will be more unhappy to you that are handsome.

He said, that most Philosophers are in many things fooles, in trivi∣all and vulgar things ingnorant.

He pronounced that of Capecia, who when one of his Disciples began to grow high, beating him, he said, Right is not placed in great, but great in right.

To a young man discoursing with much confidence; Young man, saith he, I should be loath to tell you my thoughts.

A youth of Rhodes handsome and rich, but refractory to him, not enduring, he bad him first fit in a dirty seat, that he might dirt his Gown, next placed him amongst the beggars, that he might converse with them and their raggs, untill at last the young man went away.

He said, that nothing is more unseemly then pride, especially in young men.

He said, that we must not only commit to memory speeches and words, as those who make ready some dish of meat, but apply it, and make use of it in our minds.

He said, that young men must use all modesty in their walking, in their behaviour, and in their garments; often repeating those verses of Euripides concerning Capaneus,

He was not pust up with his store, Nor thought himself above the poor.

He said, nothing was more alienate from the comprehension of Sci∣ences then Poetry: and, that we need nothing more then Time.

Being asked who is a friend, he answered, My other selfe.

Having taken his servant in a theft, he beat him; the fellow said, it was his destiny to steal, and to be beaten, said he.

He said, that Beauty is the sweetnesse of the voice; or, according to some, he called it, the flower of Beauty.

Seeing the servant of one of his companions black and blew with stripes; I see, saith he, the fruits of your anger.

To one that smelt sweet of oyntments; Who is it, saith he, that smells so esseminately.

To Dionysius sirnamed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the retractor, who asked him, why he corrected all but himselfe; because, saith he, I do not be∣lieve you.

To a young man who spoke too freely, for this reason, saith he,

we have two ears and but one tongue, that we should hear much and speak little.

He was invited to a Feast with other Philosophers by the Am∣bassadors of Antigonus (according to Laertius of Ptolomy) and whilst of the rest every one amidst their cups made ostentation of their Learning,* 1.5 he alone sate silent, whereupon the Ambassadors asking him what they should say of him to Antigonus; That which you see, saith he, for of all things, it is hardest to contain speech.

Being demanded how he behaved himself when reviled, hee said, as an Ambassador dismiss'd without answer.

He changed the Verses of Hesiod, thus;

Who good advice obeyes, of men is best, Next, he who ponders all in his own brest.

For that man (saith he) is better who can obey good advice, and make good use thereof, then he who finds out al things of himself; for the latter hath only understanding, but the other practise also.

Being demanded how it came to passe that being very austere,* 1.6 he notwithstanding was very cheerfull, and merry at a Feast, he answer'd, Lupins, ••hough in themselves bitter, being sleep'd, grow sweet.

He said it was better to slip with the foot then with the tongue. He said, that to do well is no small matter, to begin well depended on a small moment.

This some ascribe to Socrates.

One of the young men in the Academy speaking of foolish studies,* 1.7 If you do not dip your tongue in your mind, saith Zeno, you will speak many other foolish things.

He accused many,* 1.8 saying, when they might take pleasure in la∣bour, they would rather go to the Cooks shop for it.

He said,* 1.9 that we should no affect delicacy of diet, not even in sickness.

Being demanded by one of his friends, what course hee should take to do no wrong, Imagine, reply'd he, that I am alwaies with you.

Being demanded whether a man that doth wrong,* 1.10 may con∣ceal it from God, no, saith he, nor he who thinketh it.

To some that excused their prodigality,* 1.11 saying, that they had plenty, out of which they did it; will you excuse a Cook, saith he, that should oversalt his meat because he hath store of salt.

He said that of his Disciples, some were 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.12 lovers of Know∣ledge, others, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, lovers of speaking.

He compared the Arts of Dialectick to just measures filled, not with Wheat or any thing of value,* 1.13 but with chaffe and straw.

He said,* 1.14 we ought not to enquire, whether men belonged to great Ci∣ties, but whether they deserved a great City.

Seeing a friend of his too much taken up with the businesse of his Land,* 1.15 unlesse you lose your Land, saith hee, it will lose you.

He said,* 1.16 a man must live not only to eat and drink, but to use this life for the obtaining of a happy life.

Antigonus being full of wine,* 1.17 went to visit him, and kissing and embracing him as a drunken man, bad him demand, whatsoever he would, swearing that he would give it him; Zeno answered, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, at once reproving his vice, and taking care of his health.

Stretching out the fingers of his right hand, he said, such is phan∣tasie, then contracting them a little,* 1.18 such is assent; then closing them quite, and shutting his fist, such is comprehension; then put∣ting to it his left hand and shutting it close and hard, such (saith he) is science, of which none is capable but a wise man.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Laert.
• * 1.2

  Laert.
• * 1.3

  Laert. Athen. deipn.
• * 1.4

  Laert.
• * 1.5

  Laert. Stob. serm. 126.
• * 1.6

  Laer. Athen. Deipn.
• * 1.7

  Stob. ser. 33.
• * 1.8

  Stob. ser. 38.
• * 1.9

  Stob. ser. 39. ci∣ting Mulonius. Stob. ser. 52.
• * 1.10

  Stob. ser. 52.
• * 1.11

  Stob. ser. 7. 74.
• * 1.12

  Stob. ser. 133.
• * 1.13

  Stob. ser. 212.
• * 1.14

  Stob. ser. 217.
• * 1.15

  Stob. ser. 222.
• * 1.16

  Stob. ser. 297.
• * 1.17

  Aelian, var. hist. 9. 26.
• * 1.18

  Cic. Acad. quast. 4.