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

CHAP. IV.

How he lived at Miletus.

His life at Miletus (as* 1.1 Heraclides affirmes) was retir'd and private; some report hee married and had a Son named Cybissus, but the truer opinion is of those who say he lived un∣married,

and made his* 1.2 Sister's Son (whom* 1.3 Plutarch calls Cy∣bisthus) his Heir.* 1.4 Hee put off his Mother when she first moved him to marry, by telling her it was not yet time, and when hee was more in years, being again sollicited by her, hee answered, nor is it now time, meaning it was then too late. Being deman∣ded why he took not some course to have issue, he answer'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which is the same in pronouncing with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and may be taken either because he loved children, or di•• not love them, as* 1.5 Casaubon conjectures; but perhaps his meaning may better bee gather'd out of another answer of his to the same question,* 1.6 that he did not mean to draw voluntary cares upon his life, and disturb the quiet thereof; or from this story related by * 1.7 Plutarch.

Solon coming to Miletus to visit him, told him that he wondred hee wholly neglected marriage and issue. Thales at that time answered no∣thing, but some few daies after suborned a stranger to pretend that he came within ten daies from Athens; Solon demanded what newes from thence; nothing (answered the other as he was instructed) but the buriall of a young man attended by the whole City, being as was said Son of the most eminent person of the City, who at the same time was abroad in travell. Unhappy man (cries Solon) what was his name? I heard it answered the other, but have forgot, onely I remember he was very famous for Wisdom and Iustice. Solon's fear encreasing upon every answer, he at last asked him if the Fathers name were not Solon, which the other affirming, he beat his own head, and did other actions accompanied with speeches proper to such as are transported with grief; whereupon Thales similing, and interrupting him; These things, Solon said he, deterr'd me from marri∣age, which thus disorder even thee a most constant person, but be not trou∣bl'd at this newes, it is counterfeit.

In this privacy of life he was follicited and sent unto by ma∣ny Princes, whose invitations and amities, (Plutarch* 1.8 saith) he refused; visited by many eminent persons.

* 1.9 He is said to have cohabited some time with Thrasibulus (a man of excellent wit and judgement) who was King, or (according to the Greek word) Tyrant of Miletus,* 1.10 though his reign con∣tinued but eleven months;* 1.11 about the time that the Milesians enter'd into a League with Alyates the second then King of Lydia.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Laert.
• * 1.2

  Laert. Suid in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  Vitâ Solon.
• * 1.4

  Laert. Plut. Sympsiac. 3. 6. Stob. Serm. 66.
• * 1.5

  In Laertium.
• * 1.6

  Stob. serm. 66.
• * 1.7

  Vita Solon.
• * 1.8

  Sept. sap con∣viv.
• * 1.9

  Laert.
• * 1.10

  Arist. pol. 5. Iultim.
• * 1.11

  Herodot. 1.