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

CHAP. VI.

His Apothegms.

OF Apothegms, (ina 1.1 which kinde hee was conceived to have an acutenesse beyond all the other Philosophers,) these are remembred.

b 1.2 He once gave fifty drachms for a Partridge, for which being reproved by another; you would have given a penny for it saith he, which the other granting; so much, saith he, are fifty drachmes to me.

Being demanded what was the greatest benefit he had re∣ceived by Philosophy; he answered, To converse freely with all men.

Being reproached for living high; if Magnificence were a sinne saith, he, it would not be practised upon daies of Festivall to the Gods.

To one who asked wherein Philosophers excelled other men; Though all Laws were abolished saith he, we should lead the same lives.

Being demanded how the Learned differ from the unlearned, he answered, as Horses unback'd from such as are well manag'd.

Going into the house of a Courtezan, a young man of the Com∣pany blushed, to whom he said, It is not ill to go in, but not to be a∣ble to come out.

To one who defired him to resolve a Riddle, Thou fool, saith

he, why wouldst thou have me resolve that which unresolved ••inds us such entertainment?

He said, it is better to be a Beggar then unlearned, for one wants only Riches, the other Humanity.

Being reviled, he went aloof off; he that reviled, asked why he fted; Because saith he, to speak ill is in your power, not to hear is not in mine.

One saying he saw Philosophers at the gates of rich men, and Physittans saith he, at the gates of the sick; but no man would for that reason choose to be sick rather then a Physitian.

To one who boasted he learned much; as they saith he, who eat and exercise much, are not better then those who eat only to satisfie Na∣ture, neither are they learned who make large but profitable collections.

An Oratour pleading for him, and gaining the Cause, asked him, what are you the better for Socrates? so much saith he, as that I make good those things which you alledged in my defence.

He instructed his Daughter Arete to contemn all that is too much.

To one who demanded what his Son would be the better for Learning; if innothing else, in this saith he, that in the Theater one stone shall not sit upon another.

Of one who would have preferr'd his Son to him, he deman∣ded 500. Drachmes, For so much saith the other I can buy a slave; Do so, answered he, and then you will have two (c 1.3 your Son, and him you buy.)

He said he took money of his friends, not to make use of it him∣self, but to let them know the right use of it.

Being reproached for entertaining an Oratour to plead his Cause; and when I would feast, saith he, I hire a Cook.

To one who boasted of his swimming, are you not ashamed said he, to glory in the property of a Dolphin.

Being demanded wherein the learned differed from the un∣learned; send them naked to strangers, saith he, and you shall see.

To one who boasted he could drink much without being drunk; So, saith he, can a Mule.

Being blamed that he took money being the Disciple of Socra∣tes; and justly, saith he, For Socrates when they sent him wheat and Wine, took a little for his present use, and sent back the rest, the chief of all the Athenians were his Purveyors, mine Eutichydes, a mercenary Ser••ant.

Being reproved by Plato for buying a great quantity of fish; they cost me, saith he, but an obolus, would not you have given so much for them? to which Plato assenting, It is not that I am prosuse then, saith he, but that you are covetous.

Simon Pantler to Dionysius, a Phrygian, a man of ill conditions, brought him to his house paved curiously with marble; Aristip∣pus spits in his face, whereat the other growing angry, I could not find saith he a fitter place.

Being demanded how Socrates dyed; as I would wish to doe, saith he.

Polixenus the Sophist comming to his house, and seeing there women and a great feast, reproved him, Aristippus gave him way, and after a little pause, will you dine with me, saith he? where∣to he consenting: Why then, continues he, do you reprove me? 'tis not the feast but the cost which you condemn.

His servant being upon a journey, weary with carrying of mony; throw away, saith he, what is too much, and carry as much as you can.

d 1.4 He bad his slaves away his mony throw, Because ore-charg'd with weight they went too slow.

e 1.5 Being at Sea, and understanding the owners of the Vessell were Pirats, he took his Mony and counted it, then let it fall into the Sea, as unwillingly, and sighed: some affirm that he said, It is better these perish for Aristippus, then Aristippus, for them.

He reproved men for looking upon goods exposed to sale, and ta∣king no care to furnish their minds. Others ascribe this to Diogenes.

Living in Asia, he was seized by Antaphernes, the King's Liev∣tenant, whereupon one saying to him, And where is now your confidence? When, said he, you fool, should I be confident, if not now, when I shall meet with Antaphernes.

Those who forsook Philosophy, to apply themselves to Mecha∣nicall Sciences, he compared to the Suitors of Penelope; they could get the good wills of Melantho, Polydora, and others of the servants, but could not obtain the Mistress in Marriage. Not unlike is that of Aristo, who said, that Ulysses, when he went to Hell, saw all the dead, and spoke to them, but could not come so much as to the sight of the Queen.

Being demanded what Boyes ought to learn? That, saith he, which they ought to practice when they are men.

To one who accused him for going from Socrates to Dionysius: To Socrates, saith he, I went for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, education; to Dionysius for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 recreation.

To a Curtezan, who told him she was with child by him: You know that no more, said he, then if passing through a bush, you should say, this thorn pricked you.

To one, who blamed him, that he took Mony of Dionysius, Pla∣to a Book; he answered, I want Mony, Plato Books.

f 1.6 Having lost a great Farm, he said to one, who seemed exces∣sively to compassionate his losse, You have but one field, I have three left; why should not I rather grieve for you. It is madnesse (addes Plutarch) to lament for what is lost, and not rejoyce for what is left.

g 1.7 When one told him, the land is lost for your sake; Better, saith

he, is it, that the land be lost for me, then I for the land.

h 1.8 Seeing one angry vent his passion in words; Let us not, saith he, suit words to our anger, but appease our anger with words.

i 1.9 Seeing a little Woman exceeding fair; This, saith he, is a little evill, but a great beauty. They who invert these words, and read, a little fair one, but great evill, mistake the meaning of Aristippus, who plaies upon that ordinary saying, applying the inversion to his own luxurious humour.

k 1.10 To one, who demanded his advice whether he should mar∣ry or no: he said no, If you take a fair a wife, saith he, she will be com∣mon, if foul, a fury.

l 1.11 He used to advise young men to carry such provision, as in a shipwrack they might swim away withall.

m 1.12 As a shoo that is too big is unsit for use, so is a great estate; the bignesse of the shoe troubles the wearer; wealth may be used upon occasi∣on, either wholly or in part.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Suid.
• b 1.2

  Laert.
• c 1.3

  Plut. de puet. educ.
• d 1.4

  Horat. sat. 2. 3.
• e 1.5

  Laert. Cic. de invent.
• f 1.6

  Plut. de tranq. anim.
• g 1.7

  Stob. Eth. 46.
• h 1.8

  St. Eth. 99.
• i 1.9

  St. Eth. 12.••
• k 1.10

  St. Eth. 18••.
• l 1.11

  St. Eth. 210.
• m 1.12

  St. Eth. 229.