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

Of Temperance, Continence, and Contentednesse.

HE advised

to shun all occasions of incontinence,* 1.1 affirm∣ing that such as conversed much with fair women could not easily be continent.

That

the sight and kisses of the fair,* 1.2 infuse a poison more dangerous then that of Scorpions and Spiders, is the sum of his discourse to Xenophon and Critobulus.

That

a free man ought not to entertain a servant addicted to pleasures, that he which is slave to pleasures,* 1.3 should pray to the gods for better Masters, is the conclusion of his dis∣course de continentia.

That

happinesse consists not in luxury and pride,* 1.4 that to want nothing is divine, to want the least next to divine, is the the conclusion of his discourse with Antipho.

He advised such as could not easily abstain at feasts,* 1.5 to take heed of such things as perswade those that are not hungry to eat, and those that are not thirsty to drink, for they de∣stroyed the appetite, the head, and the soul. He used to say merrily,

Circ•• turned men into Swine, by feasting them with such meats, but that ulysses, partly through Minerva's advice, partly through his own temperance, refraining from such things, remained unchanged.

That

health of body ought diligently to be preserved,* 1.6 as that whereon all knowledge of the soule dependes. Is the summe of his discourse with Epigenes.

He advised one that complained,* 1.7 he took no delight in his meat,

to refrain from eating, whereby his diet would become more pleasant, cheap, and wholesome.

In the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (to feast) the particle 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 implies,* 1.8

that we should eat only such things as will not hurt the mind nor the body, and are easie to be gotten.

That

only temperate persons,* 1.9 that discern and choose the best things, refraining from the worst; that by temperance men become the most excellent, and most happy, sittest for discourse: is the summe of his discourse with Euthidemus.

Hearing one of his friends say,

this Town is exceeding deer,* 1.10 Chian wine costs a Mina, purple three, a pint of honey five Denaries; he carried him to the Meal-men, hear, saith he, a pint is sold for an obolus; it is cheap living in this Town: then to those that sold Olives, a Chaenix two far∣things; thence to the frippery, a Suit ten Drachmes: things are cheap in this Town.

He said,

the hungry wanted no sauce,* 1.11 the thirsty no choice of wines.

He commended

quiet and leasure above all things.* 1.12

He said,

they who buy early fruits at dear rates,* 1.13 believe they will not come in their due season.

Being asked what was a young mans vertue? he answered,* 1.14

to do nothing too much.

Seeing one eate broth very greedily, he said,* 1.15

Which of you here present useth bread for broth, and broth for bread?

Of which, see more at large, Xenophon his Memorab. Lib.

One saying, that it was a great matter to abstain from what a man desires, he answered,* 1.16

but it is much a greater not to desire at all.

A cleer fire becomes the chimney, serenity the mind.* 1.17

He said,* 1.18

We ought not to seek pleasures in others, but in our selves, the body being predisposed according as it ought.

He said,* 1.19

It is the property of God to need nothing, to need least, nighest to God.

Being demanded from what things we ought to refrain most,* 1.20 he answered,

from sordid unjust pleasures.

Contentednesse is like a short and pleasant way,* 1.21 it hath much delight, little toile.

He that would see vertue as his Country, must passe by pleasures, as Syrens.* 1.22

Being demanded whom he thought richest, he answered,* 1.23

him who is contented with least; for content is the riches of Nature.

Being demanded what continence is, he answered,* 1.24

govern∣ment of corporeall pleasures.

He said,* 1.25

the wicked live to eat, but the good eat to live.

When a woman saith she loveth thee,* 1.26 take heed of those words, more then when she revileth thee.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Xen. mem. 1.
• * 1.2

  Xen. mem. 1.
• * 1.3

  Xen. mem. 1.
• * 1.4

  Xen. mem. 1.
• * 1.5

  Xen. mem. 3.
• * 1.6

  Xen. mem. 3.
• * 1.7

  Xen. mem. 3.
• * 1.8

  Xen. mem. 3.
• * 1.9

  Xen. mem. 4.
• * 1.10

  Plut. de anim. tranquill.
• * 1.11

  Laert.
• * 1.12

  Laert.
• * 1.13

  Laert.
• * 1.14

  Laert.
• * 1.15

  Laert.
• * 1.16

  Aelian. var. hist. 9.
• * 1.17

  Stob. 28.
• * 1.18

  Stob. 37.
• * 1.19

  Stob. 37.
• * 1.20

  Stob. 37.
• * 1.21

  Stob. 37.
• * 1.22

  Stob. 37.
• * 1.23

  Stob. 40.
• * 1.24

  Stob. 84.
• * 1.25

  Stob. 8
• * 1.26

  Stob. 183.