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

CHAP. II.

His writings.

HE wrot Dialogues, Orations, and Epistles; by the first Athe∣naeus affirms, he gained a great esteem of temperance, hu∣manity, and integrity: Menedemus accuseth him of owning many Dialogues of Socrates, which he had of Xantippe; Panaetius believes them to be his own, not counterseit: those (saith La∣ertius)* 1.1 which expresse the Socratick habit, are seven; the first, Miltiades, written in a lower stile: the second, Callias, wherein he is blamed by Athenaeus for treating of the enmity betwixt Calli∣as & his fathers, and for deriding Anaxagoras & Prodicus in their scholars Theramenes, Philoxenus, and Ariphrades, The third, Rhinon; the fourth, Aspasia, cited by Athenaus and Harpocration: the fifth Alcibiades, cited also by* 1.2 Athenaeus: The sixth Axiochus, wherein (saith* 1.3 Athenaeus) he traduceth Alcibiades as given to Wine and women; which particular not being to be found in that

Axiochus, extant amongst the spurious Platonick Dialogues, argues (contrary to the opinion of Vossius) that it is not the same. The last, Telauges, the scope whereof was a Satyricall de∣rision of the vices of that person, as appeareth from Demetri••s Phalereus, and* 1.4 Athenaeus.

* 1.5 There were seven other Dialogues, stiled 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which went under the name of Aeschines, very loose, and not ex∣pressing enough the Socratick severity; whence Pisistratus the Athenian, denyed that they were his; and Perseus saith, the greatest part were written by Pasiphon of Eretria, falsely mingled with the Dialogues of Aeschines: their names (according to Suidas) were Phaedon, polyanus, Dracon, Eryxias, (perhaps that which is extant) of Vertue, Erasistratus, the Scythians.

* 1.6 His O••a••ions gave full testimony of his perfection in Rhe∣torick, in confirmation whereof, Laertius instanceth, that in defence of the father of Phaeacus the Generall, and those wherein he thiefly imitated Gorgias the Leontine; of which* 1.7 Philostratus cites that concerning Thar gelia.

Of his Epistles, one to Dionysius the Tyrant is mentioned by Laer••ius, as extant in his time: another there is under his name amongst the* 1.8 Socratick Epistles in these words;

Assoon as I arived at Syracuse, Aristippus met me in the Forum, and taking me by the hand, carried me immediately to Dionysius, to whom he said, Dionysius, if a man should come hither to insinuate folly into you, did he not aim at your hurt? to which Dionysius consenting, what then, continues Aristippus, would you do to him? the worst, an∣sw••rs Dionysius, that could be: But if anyone, saith he, should come to improve you in wisdome, did he not aim at your good? which Dionysius acknowledging: Behold then (continues he) Aeschines, one of Socra∣tes his disciples, come hither to instruct you; he aimes at your good, there∣fore on him confer the benefits you confesse due to such. Dyonisius (said I, interrup••ing him) Aristippus expresseth an admirable friendship in this addresse; but we are owners only of so much wisdome, as restrains us from abusing those with whom we converse. Dionysius hereat pleased, commended Aristippus, and promised to make good what he had con∣••est due to me: He heard our Alcibiades, and delighted it seemes there∣with, desiredif we had any other Dialogues, that we would send them to him, which we promised to do, and therefore dear friends we intend to be shortly with you. Whilst I read, Plato was present (which I had almost forgot to tell you) and whispered something in my behalfe privately to Di∣onysius, by reason of Aristippus; for as soon as he was gone out, he told me that he never spoke freely when that man (naming Aristippus) was present; but for what I said to Dionysius concerning you, I referre my selfe to him; The next day, Dionysius in the Garden confirmed his speech as said of me, with many sportive sayings (for they were no better) I advised Aristippus and plato to cease their aemulation, because of their generall fame; for we shall be most ridiculous, if our actions corre∣spond not with our profession.

CRITO.

CRITO was an Athenian* 1.9 scholler to Socrates: whom he loved so entirely that he never suffered him to want ne∣cessaries, of which more hath been already said in the life of Socrates:* 1.10 Being much troubled and sued by those who had not received any injury from him, but abus'd the quitnesse of his disposition, which would sooner part with money upon no ground then go to law, Socrates advised him to entertain one of the same busie, troublesome humour, to keep off the rest; Crito in pursuit of this counsell made choice of Archide∣mus, an excellent Lawyer, but poor, who being obliged by his guifts and kindnesse, persecuted eagerly all such as molested not him only, but any of his friends: Crito wrote seventeen dia∣logues comprised in one volume, thus reckon'd by Laertius. That the good are not made such by learning. Of having most. What is expedient, or the Politician. Of lon••sty, of wickednesse, of security, of Law, of Divinity, of arts, of conversation, of wisdom; Protagoras or the Politick. Of letters, Of Poetry, of what is honest, of learning, of knowing or science, what it is to know. He writ also an Apology for Socrates.

* 1.11 He had four sons, Critobulus, Hermogenes, Epigenes, and Clesippus, all auditors of Socra••es; of whom already.

Suidas reckons three more of this name: One wrot Getick stories; the second was of Pieria a City in Macedonia; the third of Naxus, both Historians.

SIMON.

* 1.12 SIMON was an Athenian, a leather-dresser. Socrates coming to his shop, and disputing there, he committed to writing all that he remembred thereof; whence his dialogues were called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. They were three and thirty, all in one vo∣lume: of Gods, of good, of honest, what is honest. Of just, the first, the 2d. Ofvirtue, that it cannot be taught. Of fortitude, the first, second, third. Of law, of Popularity, of honour, of Poetry, of health, of love, of Philosophy, of knowledge, of musick, of Poetry; what is honest. Of doctrine, of disputation, of judgement, of that which is, of number, of diligence, of la∣bour, of avarice, of boasting, of honesty, or according to o∣thers, of Counsel, of discourse, of expedients, of doing ill. He is reported the first that used the Socratick discourses. Pericles promising that if hee would come to him, he should want no∣thing, hee answered, that he would not sell his freedom of speech. There is extant amongst the Socratick Epistles, this un∣der his name, as in answer to Aristippus.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Leart. Athen.
• * 1.2

  Lib. 14.
• * 1.3

  Lib. 5:
• * 1.4

  Lib. 5. upon which see C••∣saubon, cap. 20.
• * 1.5

  Laert.
• * 1.6

  Laert.
• * 1.7

  Epist. ad Iul▪ August.
• * 1.8

  Epist. 23.
• * 1.9

  Suid.
• * 1.10

  Xen.
• * 1.11

  Suid.
• * 1.12

  L••••rt.