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

CHAP. I.

Bias his life.

* 1.1 BIAS was of Priene, sone of Tutamis; some affirm he was rich, others, that he had no estate, but lived as an inmate. Sa••yrus ••an∣keth him first of the seven wise-men; the occasion whereby that title was conferred on him, was this; he redeemed some cap∣tive Messenian virgins, brought them up as his daughters, gave them portions, and so sent them back to their Parents: a Tripod being afterwards found at Athens (as was related in the life of ••hales, the place only different) with this inscription in gold, To the wise. These virgins (as Satyrus affirmes) or (as Phanodicus) their father came into the congrega∣tion, and pronounced Bias wise, declaring what he had done for them: hereupon the Tripod was sent to him, which Bias be∣holding, averred Apollo to be the most wise, and would not ac∣cept it; some affirm he dedicated it to Hercules at Thebes, as be∣ing descended from the Theban Colony, sent to Priene.

That he made good this attribute, there are many instances; * 1.2 Alyattes besieging Priene, Bias turned out of the Town two ex∣ceeding fat mules, which coming to the camp, Croesus wondered to see* 1.3 their plenty extended to the very beasts, and desirous, of reconcilement, sent a messenger to them. Bias causing many heaps of sand to be made, and covered over with wheat, shew∣ed them to the messenger; whereof Alyattes informed, was more eager of peace then before, and sent immediately to desire Bias to come to him; but I (answered he) wish Allyattes may feed on onyons, meaning to weep.

* 1.4 Some ascribe it to Bias, the diversion of Croesus his expedi∣tion against the Greek Islands, by others imputed to Pittacus related in his life.

* 1.5 Cyrus having taken Croesus, sent an Army against the Greci∣ans; the Ionians much troubled, assembled at the Panionium, where Bias gave them wise advice, which had they followed (saith Herodotus) they might have been the happiest of all the Greeks: He counselled them to joyne together in one fleet, to saile to Sardinia, and there build one City common to all the

Ionians; whereby they might preserve themselves from bon∣dage, happy in possessing an Island far greater then all the rest, and commanding them; but if they continued in Ionia, there was no apparent hope of liberty. This advice was justified, the Ionians being subdued.

* 1.6 Bias (his country Priene invaded by enemies, all, whom the cruelty of war suffered to escape, flying away laden with the most precious of their wealth) being demanded why he carried none of his goods with him. I (saith he) carry my goods with me: He bore them (addes Valerius Maximus) in his breast, not to be seen by the eye, but prised by the soul; enclosed in the narrow dwelling of the mind, not to be demolished by mortall hands, present with those who are setled, and not forsaking such as flie.

* 1.7 He refused not the amity of Kings, (as Thales did) particu∣larly, that of Amasis, King of Aegypt, who sent him a victim, commanding him to take from it the best and worst part. Bias sent him the tongue, for which ingenuity, he was much ad∣mired.

* 1.8 Another question of Amasis he resolved, whilst he was at Corinth (invited thither with the rest of the wise-men by Peri∣ander) where Niloxenus brought him this letter.

Amasis King of Aegypt saith thus to Bias, wisest of the Greeks: the King of Aethiopia contendeth with me for preheminence in wisdome; master'd in other things, he in conclusion requires an absurd strange thing, that I drink up the sea; this proposition if I resolue, I shall have many of his Townes and Citties; if I resolve not, I must lose all those which are about Elephantina. Ponder it, and send Niloxenus back with all speed; what euer we can do for your friends and Country, shall not be wan∣ting.

Having read the Letter, Bias with a short pause, recollecting himselfe, and having whispered to Cleobub••s who sat next him.

What (saith he) Naucratites, Amasis, who commands so many men, and possesseth so excellent a Country, will he, for a few obscure contemptible villages, drink up the sea? Bias (saith Niloxenus smiling) consider, as if he meant to do it, how it might be effected. Bid the Aethiopian (replyed Bias) withold the rivers from running into the sea, untill he hath drunk off that which is now sea; for the imposition concernes that only which is such at present, not what shall be hereafter.

Niloxenus embraced him with joy, the rest applauding his solution.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Laert.
• * 1.2

  Laert.
• * 1.3

  Laert 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.4

  Herod. 2. 7.
• * 1.5

  Herod. 1. 170.
• * 1.6

  Val. Max. 7. 2.
• * 1.7

  Plut. conv. sept. sap.
• * 1.8

  Plut. ibid.