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

CHAP. I.

Stilpo his life.

a 1.1 STILPO was of Megara in Hellas; he lived in time of the first Ptolomy: Of the Masters which he heard are reckoned Euclid the founder of this School: but, this agrees not with his time, as was before observed.

Some followers of Euclid,

Thrasymachus of Corinth, friend to Ichthyas: So Heraclides atte∣steth.

b 1.2 Diogenes the Cynick.

Pasicles, a Theban, who heard Crates the Cynick, his own Brother.

Dioclides of Megara.

Cicero saith; he was very acute, much approved by those times: his friends (saith he) writ, he was much inclined to wine and women, yet relate not this in his dispraise; but, rather in his commendations, that he by Learning so subdued and represt his vicious nature, that none ever saw him drunk, none ever dis∣covered any lasciviousnesse in him. Plutarch magnifies his height of courage, mixed with meeknesse and temperance.

He was much addicted to civill affairs. Besides his Wife, he kept company with Nicareta, a Curtezan: He had a daughter of ill fame, whom Simmias, a Syracusian, his intimate friend, mar∣ried; she living incontinently, one told Stilpo she was a disho∣nour to him: No more, saith he, then I am an honour to her.

Ptolemeus Soter much esteemed him, and when he took possessi∣on of Megara by conquest, gave him mony, and invited him along with him to Aegypt: Of the mony he took a little, but absolutely refused the journey: Going to Aegina stayed there, till Ptolomies returne. Dem••trius son of Antigonus, upon the taking of Megara, gave order, that his house might be preserved, and whatsoever belong'd to him restored; and bidding him give them an inventory of such things as he had lost, he said, that he had lost nothing that belonged to him, for none had taken away his learning; his lear∣ning and knowledge were both left.

With Demetrius he disputed of Humanity so efficaciously, that he became a studious Auditor of him.

Concerning Minerva's Statue, carved by Phidias, he asked a man, whether Minerva Daughter of Iove were a God? He af∣firmed she was: But this, saith he, is not of Iove, but of Phidias;

to which the other assented: Then, saith he, she is not a God. Hereupon being cited to the Court of Areopagus, he denyed it not, but justified it, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 she was not a God, but a Goddesse. But, the Areopagites nothing satisfied with this evasion, orde∣red that he should depart the City. Hereupon Theodorus sirnamed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, said in derision, How came Stilpo to know this, did he put a∣side her vail, and look upon her breast? Theodorus was bold of speech; but, Stilpo reserved, in so much, as being demanded by Crates, whether the Gods delighted in bent knees and prayers: Thou fool, saith he, do not question me in publick, but when we are alone together.

He was sincere and plain, void of all artifice: Crates the Cynick not answering him, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, I knew, saith he, you would speak any thing rather then that which is decent.

Crates in propounding a question delivered a fig to him, which he took and eat: Crates presently cryed out, that he had lost his fig: Yes, saith he, and your question also, of which that was in earnest.

Seeing Crates halfe frozen in cold weather, Crates, saith he, me thinks you want 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, (which one way implies a new gar∣ment, another way both a garment and wit) Crates ashamed, answe∣red thus;

Stilpo at Megara I saw opprest, Where vast Typhocus lies with weight opprest. To hear him wrangle, many Schollers came; Fair truth to chace away was all their aime.

At Athens he wrought so much upon the people, that they would run out of their shops to see him: They wonder at thee Stilpo (said one to him) as a monster: No, saith he, but as a true man.

As he was speaking with Crates, in the midst of their discourse he went away to buy fish; Crates pursued him, crying out, that he gave over the discourse: No, saith he, I carry along the dis∣course with me; but, I leave you, the discourse will stay, the fish must be bought.

Being asked,* 1.3 what is harder then a stone, he answered, a fool.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Laert.
• b 1.2

  Laert. vi••. Diogenis.
• * 1.3

  Stob.