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ABout this time Dionysius, the Sicilian Tyrant, flourished,a 1.1 to whom resorted many Philosophers, amongst the rest Aristip∣pus, invited by his sumptuous magnificence.b 1.2 Dionysius asked him the reason of his comming; he answer'd, to give what I have, and to receive what I ha••e not; or, as others, when I wanted wisdome, I went to Socrates; now I want mony, I come to you. He soon insinuated into the
favour of Dionysius; for he could conform himself to every place time, and person, act any part, construe whatsoever happened to the best: and thus enjoying present pleasure, never troubled him∣self for the absent, as Horace.
Every condition, habit, and event with Aristippus suits with all content.
Of his compliance with Dionysius's humour, there are these instances.e 1.3 Dionysius at a Feast commanded, that all should put on purple robes: Plato refused, saying,
I will not with a female robe disgrace My self, who am a man of manly race.But Aristippus took it, and beginning to dance, said,
If it come pure, a mirthfull Feast Never corrupts a modest breast.
f 1.4 Another time suing to Dionysius in the behalf of his friend; hee would not hear him; at last he threw himself at his feet, and his petition was granted; for which being reprehended, Blame not me, saith he, but Dionysius, Whose ears are in his seet.
g 1.5 Dionysius shewed him three Curtezans, bidding him take his choice; he leading them all three away, said, Paris was punish'd jor preserring one before the other two. But, having brought them to the dore, he dismist them, as ready to contemn as accept: where∣upon Strato (or as others Plato) told him, You only can wear old gar∣ments and raggs; for which likewise they admired him, that he would wear a thread-bare, and a rich Milesian Cloak with equal decorum, accommodating himself to both.
When Dionysius did spit upon him, he took it patiently; fcr which being reproved, Fishermen saith he, suffer themselves to be wet all over that they may catch [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] a Gudgeon, and shall I be trou∣bled at a little spitle, who mean to take* 1.6 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉?
h 1.7 He begged Money of Dionysius, who said to him, You told me, a wise man wanted nothing; Give me, and we will talk of this afterward. When Dionysius had given it him; Now saith he, you set I do not want.
By this complaisance, he gained so much upon Dionysius, that he had a greater esteem for him, then all the rest of the Philoso∣phers,
though sometimes he spoke so freely to Dionysius, that he in∣curred his displeasure.
i 1.8 To Dionysius asking, why Philosophers haunted the gates of rich men, but rich men not those of Philosophers: Because, saith he, the one knowes what he wants, the other not.
k 1.9 To Dionysius, urging him to treat of Philosophy: It is ridicu∣lous, said he, if you learn of me what it is, to teach me when it should be said. Whereat Dionysius displeased, bad him take the lowest place, which he did quietly, saying, You have a minde to make this seat more honourable.l 1.10 The next day the Tyrant asked him what he thought of that place wherein he then sat, in respect of that wherein he sat the night before: He answered, they were alike to him; to day, saith he, because I left it, it is contemn'd, what yesterday was esteem'd the most honourable; that where I sit to day esteemed most honourable, which yesterday, without me, was accounted the lowest.
m 1.11 Being asked why Dionysius fell out with him, he answered, for the same reason he falleth out with others.
m 1.12 Dionysius saying, (out of Sophocles, as Plutarch affirmes, who ascribes this to Zeno.)
Who ere goes to a Tyrant, he A servant is, though he came free.He immediately answered,
No servant is if he came free.
Dionysius offering Plato a great summe of money, which he re∣fused; Aristippus being at the same time in the Court of Dionysius said, Dionysius bestowes his liberality upon sure grounds, to us who ask much, he giveth little; to Plato, who requireth nothing, he offereth much.
o 1.13 Another time Helicon of Cyzicus, one of Plato's friends, having foretold an Eclipse of the Sun, which when it fell out according∣ly, he was much honouored for it: Aristippus jesting with other Philosophers, said, he could foretell a stranger thing; They de∣manding what it was: I prognosticate, saith he, that Plato and Dionysius will ere long be at variance, and so it happened.
Philostr. vit. Apoll.
Laert.
Laert.
Laert.
Laert.
VVhich being pronounced is e∣quiv••call: for, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifieth a ••ish like a Gudgeon, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Tyrant: as I find in a M. S. Lexcion communicated by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 learned friend Mr. John Pearson, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 o 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and again B•••• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 confirmed by Atha••neus, deipn. 7. 10.
Laert.
Laert.
Laert.
Athen. deipn. 12. citing He∣gesander▪
Laert.
Laert.
Plut. vit. Dion.