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

CHAP. II.

His Apophthegms.

HE left many memorialls, and profitable Apophthegmes; as, Being reproved for not endeavouring to Catch a young man; new Cheese saith he, will not stick to the hook.

Being demanded what man is most perplexed, he saith, he who aimes at the highest Content.

To one who asked his advice whether he should marry or not, (for this some ascribe to Bion, which Agellius to Bias, the mistake perhaps grounded upon the nearnesse of their Names) he answe∣red, if you take a fowl Wife, she will be a Torment; if a fair, Common.

He said, that Age is the Haven to which all ills have recourse; That Glory is the Mother of years; That beauty is a good which concerns others, not our selves; That Riches are the Sinewes of Things.

To one who had consumed his Patrimony, Earth, saith he, de∣voured Amphiaraus, but you devour Earth.

He said, it is a great ill, not to be able to bear ill.

He reproved those who burn men, as having no Sense, and a∣gain burn them as having Sense.

He used to say, it is better to yeeld our own youth and Beauty to others, then to attempt anothers; for he that doth so, injures both his body and Soul.

He vilified Socrates, saying, if he could enjoy Alcibiades, and did not, he was a fool, if he could not, he did no great matter.

He said, the way to the next World is easie, for we find it blind∣fold.

He condemned Alcibiades, saying, when he was a boy, he drew away Husbands from their Wives, when a man, Wives from their Husbands.

At Rhodes, whilst the Athenians exercised Rhetorick, he taught Philosophy; for which being reproved, I bought Wheat saith he, and shall I fell Barley?

He said, they who are punished below would be more tor∣mented if they carried Water in whole Vessells, then in Vessells full of holes.

One that was extreamly talkative, desiring his assistance in a businesse, I will doe what I can for you saith he, if you send a Messenger to me, and come not your self.

Travelling with very ill Company, they fell amongst theeves; we shall be undone saith he, unlesse we be known.

He said, Arrogance is the obstruction of Virtue.

Of a rich man Covetous, he hath not money saith he, but mo∣ney him.

He said Covetous persons keep their Wealth so strictly, that they have no more use of their own then of anothers.

He said, when we are young, wee use Courage, when old, Wisdom. Wisdom excells other Vertues as the Sight the other Senses.

He said no man should be reproached for old age, that being a Condition all pray they may arive at it.

To an envious man sad, I know not saith he whether some ill hath befaln you, or some good another.

He said impiety is an ill companion to bold language;

For though his Speech he free, To Bondage yield must hee.

That friends whatsoever they prove ought to be retained: lest we seem to have conversed with wicked persons, or to shunne Good.

Being Demanded if there were any Gods, he said, Old man, wilt thou not drive this ••roud away.

He conceived that he might make a Field fertile sooner by praising then by manuring it.

He said, they who love to be flattered, are like Pots carried by the ear.

To one who asked him what folly is, he said the Obstruction of Knowledge.

He said good men, though Slaves are free, but wicked men though free are slaves to many Pleasures.

He said Grammarians whilst they enquire after the Errors of Ulysses, mind not their own, nor see that they themselves go astray as well as he, in taking pains about uselesse things.

He said Avarice is the Metropolis of all Evill.

* 1.1 Seeing a Statue of Persaeus, under which was written, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Persaeus of Zeno a Cit∣tiean, he said, the writer mistook; for it should be, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Zeno's servant; as indeed he was.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Athen.