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

CHAP. II.

His Apophthegmes.

a 1.1 HIs Fellow-Disciples derided him, he took it patiently, and being called Asse, answered, he onely could bear Zeno's burthen.

Another time being reproached as timerous, therefore, saith he, I sin little.

Preferring his own Poverty before the plenty of the rich; whilst they, saith he, Play at Ball, I manure a hard barren soil.

He often chid himself, being all alone, which Aristo overhea∣ring; whom, saith he, do you chide, he smiling, answered, a grey∣headed old fellow without wit.

To one that said Arcesilaus abrogated the offices of life; peace, saith he, dispraise him not, for though he take away offices in discourse, he commends them in his actions; To whom Arcesilaus saying, I cannot endure flattery; I do indeed flatter, replies Clean∣thes, when I say, you speak one thing and do another.

To one that asked what he should teach his Son, he answer'd in the words of Electra;

Peace, peace, a little step.

A Lacedemonian saying, that labour was good, hee laughed, answering,

My son, thou of a gen'rous race art come.

Disputing with a young man, he asked him whether hee did feel; the other answers he did, he replyed, why then do I not feel that you feel?

Sosythius the Poet saying in the publick Theatre when Cleanthes was present;

Those whom Cleanthes madnesse leads away; hee sate still, not changing his countenance; whereupon the Auditors applauding him, turned out Sosythius, who afterwards coming to Cleanthes, told him he was sorry that he had reproached him; Cleanthes an∣swer'd, it were unsit I should behold unconcerned Bacchus and Her∣cules derided by the Poets, and be angry' at a little word against my self.

He compared the Peripateticks to Lutes, that make good Mu∣sick, but hear it not themselves.

Holding according to Zeno that the mind may be discerned in the countenance, some merry young men brought an effeminate youth to him rustically cloathed, desiring his opinion of that mans disposition. He bad him depart, which the other going to do, sneezed; Cleanthes presently cryed out, I have found out the man, he is effeminate.

To one that was all alone talking to himself, you discourse saith he, with a man that is not ill.

To one that was reproach'd him with his age, I would be gone, saith he, but when I consider that I am in health, fit to write and study, I ra∣ber choose to stay.

b 1.2 Cleanthes bad those who came to hear him, to fancy pleasure painted in a Tablet, richly habited and adorned, sitting upon a Throne, the Vertues standing about her, as her handmaids, do∣ing nothing else but wait on her commands, and whispering in her ear (if it can be phancied of a picture) to bid her take heed of doing any thing imprudently, that may offend the minds of men, or any thing that may occasion grief.

c 1.3 He said, whosoever sweareth, at the same time sweareth truly, or forsweareth himself: if he intend to do that which hee sweareth, though he do it not, he sweareth truly; if he intend it not he is forsworn.

d 1.4 One observing him silent, said to him, why do you hold your peace, it is pleasant to talk to friends; It is indeed, answer'd Cle∣anthes, but the more pleasant it is, the more we ought to allow them the freedom of it.

e 1.5 Hee said that unlearned men differed from Beasts in their figure.

f 1.6 Being demanded why amongst the Antients, when there were fewest Philosophers, there were more eminent then at this time; he answer'd, because then they minded the thing it self, now only in words.

To one that asked him,g 1.7 how a man might be rich, he answe∣red, by being poor in desire.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Laert.
• b 1.2

  Cic de Fini••. lib. 2.
• c 1.3

  Stob. Ser. 116.
• d 1.4

  Set. 126.
• e 1.5

  Set. 210.
• f 1.6

  Set. 212.
• g 1.7

  Ser. 229.