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

CHAP. VI.

His A••mulators.

THis favour which he found with Dionysius, was perhaps the occasion, for which he was maligned by the rest of the Philosophers, amongst whom was.

a 1.1 Xenophon, who out of ill will to him, published theb 1.2 discourse between him and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 about Pleasure.

c 1.3 Plato likewise, through the same disaffection tacitely repre∣hends him, in Phaedone; for being in Aegina at the time of Socra∣tes's death.d 1.4 Plato being in Dionysius's Court, when he was there, reproved his sumptuous life: Whereupon Aristippus asked him, whether he thought Dionysius a good man or not: Plato affirmed, he thought him good: Yet he, replyed Aristippus, liveth much more sumptuously; therefore it is not incompetible with good∣nesse.

e 1.5 Phaedo likewise seemed to deride him, demanding who it was that smelt so strong of Unguents: It is I, unhappy man that I am, answered Aristippus, and the Persian King, who is more unhappy then I; but, as other things are not the worse for this, neither is a man.f 1.6 A curse on those effeminate persons, who brought a scan∣dall upon so good a thing.

g 1.7 Aeschines also and he were sometimes at difference: Once after some falling out betwixt them, Aristippus said to him, Shall we not be friends, shall we not give over fooling? or, do you ex∣pect some body should kick us into kindnesse? Willingly, an∣swered Aeschines. Now, saith, Aristippus, remember, that though I am the elder, yet I yielded first. Aeschines replyed, and justly, for you are better then I; I begun the enmity, you the reconcile∣ment. h 1.8 Plutarch relates it thus; Being fallen out with Aeschines, he met one who asked him, Where is now your old friendship, Ari∣stippus? It is asleep, saith he; but I will awake it: and going straight to Aeschines, Am I so unhappy, saith he, and so inconsiderable in your esteem, as not to deserve correction. Aeschines answered, It is nothing strange, that exceeding by nature in all things, you should first know what is ••it to be done.

Antisthenes is to be numbered also amongst those, who were displeased at his manner of life, as appeareth by an Epistle of his to that effect, extant amongst the Socratick Epistles, to which Aristippus returned this answer.

i 2.1 Aristippus to Antisthenes.

WE are Aristippus,j 2.2 unhappy beyond measure; how can we be otherwise, living with a Tyrant, daily eating and drinking de∣liciously, persumed with choicest 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nguents, attired in rich loose Gar∣ments brought from Tarentum: and none will deliver me from the cru∣elty of Dionysius, who detains me, not as a rude person, but one that is verst in Socratick learning; supplying me (as I said) with Meat, Un∣guents, Garments, and the like; fearing neither the judgments of Gods nor men. And now the misfortune is much encreased; He hath bestowed on me three Sicilian Virgins of extraordinary beauty, and many Utensils of silver; and when this man will give over doing such things I know

not; you do well therefore to be concern'd for the miseries of others; in requitall whereof I rejoice in your happiness, and return you thanks; Farewell.

The figs which you have, lay up against Winter, and the Cretan meal; for these things seem to be better thenl 2.3 riches; wash and drink of the Fountain of Enneacrunus; wear the same garment in Winter as in Summer, and that sordid, as becomes a free person living under the A∣thenian Democracy: As for me, I knew as soon as I came into a City and Island govern'd by a Monarch, I should suffer those ills of which you write to me; Now the Syracusians, Agrigentines, Geloans, and the rest of the Siciliansm 2.4 compassionately admire me; Butn 2.5 for my madness in coming inconsiderately to these unseemly things, I wish this curse to sall upon me, that I may never be quit of these evills;o 2.6 because being of years of dis∣cretion, and pretending to wisdom, I would not undergo hunger and cold, nor contemn glory, nor wear a long beard; I will send you some great white Lupines to eat, after you have acted Hercules to the boyes; of which things it is reported you esteem it not absurd to discourse and write: but if any man should speak of Lupines to Dionyf••us, I think it were against the rules of Tyranny: of the rest go and discourse with Si∣mon the Leather-dresser, then whom you esteem nothing more wise; for I am not allowed familiarity with Artificers, because I live under o∣bedience to others.

Notwithstanding, this jarring betwixt them, Aristippus was nothing backward in employing the Interest he had at Court, for some friends of Antisthenes; to preserve them from death; as this Letter of his to Antisthenes doth manifest.

p 2.7 The Locrian young men of whom you write to me, will be set at liber∣ly, neither put to death, nor fined, though they were very near death. q 2.8 Let not Antisthenes know I have saved his friends, for he loves not to converse with Tyrants, but with meal-men, and Victualers, such as sell meat and drink at Athens without fraud, and such as sell thick cloaths in cold weather, and such as server 2.9 Simon, these are not Riches.

Diogenes followed the example of his Master Antisthenes in de∣riding Aristippus,s 2.10 calling him the Court-Spaniel. As Aristippus passed by, Diogenes busied about washing Herbes, called to him, saying, If you had learned to do thus, you needed not have followed the Courts of Princes; and you, said he, if you had known how to converse with men, needed not to have washed Herbes; thus expressed by t 2.11 Horace.

Diog.

On Herbs if Aristippus could have din'd, The company of Kings he had declin'd.

Arist.

He who derides me, had he wit to use The company of Kings, would Herbs refuse;

I mine own jeaster; thou the People's art, My choice is of the better, nobler part, I by a King maintain'd, on horseback ride, Thou by the meanest people art supply'd, Then those that do maintain thee thou art less; Yet to want nothing vainly dost profess.

u 2.12 Theodorus in his Book of Sects, reproached Aristippus; and * 2.13 Alexis the Comick Poet, in his Galatea bringeth in a servant speaking thus of one of his Disciples;

My Master young on Rhetorick first intent, Next to Philosophy his study bent: A Cyrenaean liv'd at Athens then, Nam'd Aristippus, justly first of men, Esteem'd for subtlety and Luxury, A Talent him my Master gave to be His Scholer, but of Arts be none was taught, Save only Cookery; that away be brought.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Laert.
• b 1.2

  Memorab. lib. 2.
• c 1.3

  Laert.
• d 1.4

  Laert.
• e 1.5

  Laert.
• f 1.6

  Senec. de ben••∣fic. Clem. Alex.
• g 1.7

  Laert.
• h 1.8

  L•• ir a Cohib.
• i 2.1

  Socratic. Epist. 9.
• j 2.2

  Irenically an∣swering a for∣mer letter of Antisthenes.
• l 2.3

  For 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ros 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 insiead of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the last word of the following Epistle, •• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sceptic••
• m 2.4

  Make a point at 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Dorice; a ridi∣culous and a∣cute irony; for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifieth to look on a thing with admi••ation, which is not proper to com∣passion.
• n 2.5

  Re•••• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ••ps, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• o 2.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• p 2.7

  Socratic. E∣pist. 11.
• q 2.8

  The Letter seems to be written to An∣tithenes; and this meant iro∣nically.
• r 2.9

  The Leather-dresser.
• s 2.10

  Laert.
• t 2.11

  Epist ••. 17.
• u 2.12

  Eaert.
• * 2.13

  Athen. Deipn. 12.