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

BIAS.

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.

CHAP. II.

His morall sentence, precepts, and verses.

HIs Apothegmes are thus delivered by Laertius and o∣thers. He is unfortunate, who cannot bear misfortune. It is a disease of the mind to desire such things as cannot be obtained, and to be unmindfull of the miseries of others. To one that asked what is hard, he answered, to bear couragiously a change to the worse. Being at sea in com∣pany with wicked, who, a storm arising, called upon the Gods; hold your peace, saith he, lest they know you are here. To a wicked man enquiring what was piety, he was silent, the other asking the reason of his silence: I answer not, saith he, because you enquire after that which nothing con∣cernes you. Being demanded what is sweet to mankind, he answered, Hope. It is better to decide a difference betwixt our enemies then friends, for one of the friends will certainly become an enemie, one of the enemies, a friend. Being asked what a man did with delight, he answered, gain by labour. We should so live, as though our life would be both long and short: So love, as if hereafter we might hate, conversing in friendship with cau∣tion, remembring that it may possibly convert to enmity.

* 1.9 To one demanding whether he should take a wife; she must be (saith he) either fair or foul; if fair, she will be common, if foule, a pennance.

* 1.10 That Tyrant shall gain most glory, who first himselfe obeyes the lawes of his country: That common-wealth is best ordered, wherein every man fears the Law more then a Tyrant. That family is best ordered, where the Master behaves himselfe voluntarily within dores, as he doth without by constraint of the Law.

* 1.11 Those who busie themselves in vain knowledge, resemble an Owle, which seeth only in the night, but is blind in the light; so is their mind sharp-sighted in vanity, dark at the approach of true light.

Ausonius hath these under his name. What is our chiefest good? a conscience free, Our greatest ill? mans, mans worst enemie. Poor? th'avaricious. Rich? who nought desires. A wifes best dower? the fame chast life acquires. Chast? she of whom report dare speak no ill. Wise? who hath power to hurt, but wants the will. A fool? who wants the power, and yet would kill.

His morall precepts, according to* 1.12 Demetrius Phalereus these.

Most men are evill,. (* 1.13 His particular sentence) Before you do any thing, behold your face in a glasse; if it seem handsome, do handsome things; if deformed, suply the defects of nature.

Practise honesty. Undertake deliberately, but having once begun, go through. Abhor to speak hastily. [Laert. It is mad∣nesse] lest thou sin, for repentance followes. Be neither sim∣ple nor subtle. Admit not imprudence. Love prudence. Eve∣ry where professe there are Gods. Weigh what is to be done. Hear much. Speak seasonably. If poor, reprove not the rich, unless great advantage may arise thereby. Praise not an unwor∣thy person for his wealth. Acquire by perswasion, not by vi∣olence. When thou dost good, impute it not to thy selfe, but to the Gods. In thy youth, gain wealth, in thy age wisdome. [or as Laertius, from thy youth to thy age, gain wisdome, for it will be more sure to thee, then all other possessions] Pre∣serve in thy actions remembrance; in opportunity, caution; in thy manners, ingenuity; in labour, patience; in fear, wari∣nesse; in wealth, love; in discourse, perswasion; in silence, a decorum; in sentence, justice; in boldnesse, fortitude; in action, power; in glory, eminence; in thy nature, generosity.

* 1.14 Of his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 these were most esteemed.

To all the City where thou liv'st be kind, They who most favour show, most favour find: But pride is often with destruction joyn'd.

And

Strength is a gift, which natures hand bestowes. Rhetorick and policy the wise soule knowes, Riches a present that from fortune flowes.

CHAP. III.

His death, and writings.

* 1.15 HE was much addicted to pleading, very earnest therein, but alwaies employed in just causes; which* 1.16 Demodicus the Alerian implies, saying, If thou chance to be a Iudge, giue, sentence on the Prienaean side; and Hipponax, to plead a cause better then Bias the Prienaean. And in that manner he died, being very old, as he was pleading, having ended his speech, he reposed his head in the bosom of his sisters son; his adversary having ended his de∣fence; the Judges gave sentence on Bias his side; the Court dis∣mist he was found dead in his Nephews bosome: the City bestowed a magnificent monument upon him, with this in∣scription;

Bias of Prienaean fam'd descent Lies here, Ionia's greatest ornament.

They also dedicated a Temple to him, called the Tuta∣mian:

Laertius bestowes upon him this Epigram.

Bias lies hidden here, whom Hermes lead To th'grave, when age had snow'd upon his head. His head, which (pleading for his friend) enclind Upon his Nephew to long sleep resign'd.

He writ concerning Ionia, by what means it might be most happy (perhaps that counsell already mentioned) two thousand verses.

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.
• * 1.9

  Agel. 5. 11.
• * 1.10

  Flut.
• * 1.11

  Stob. serm. 28
• * 1.12

  Stob. serm ••3.
• * 1.13

  Laert.
• * 1.14

  Laert.
• * 1.15

  Laert.
• * 1.16

  Laert. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: perhaps it should be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.