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

CHAP. III.

His Vertues and Apophthegmes.

a 1.1 AMongst his other Vertues; he was very remarkable for his Continence, of which there is this instance: Phryne, a fa∣mous Athenian Curtezan, having laid a wager with some young men his Disciples, that he could not resist her enticements, stole privately into his bed: The next morning being question'd and ••aught at by his Disciples, she said, The wager they laid was of a man, not of a stone. To this end he used to mortifie him∣selfe by incision, and cauterising of his flesh.

b 1.2 His wisdome and Sanctity was much reverenced by the A∣thenians; for being to give his testimony, and to swear, as the custome was, that he spoke nothing but truth, the Judges all rose up, and cryed out, that he should not swear, indulging that to his sincerity, which they did not allow to one another.

c 1.3 Being sent with others to Philip on an Embassy, the rest re∣ceived gifts from him, and went to treat in private with him; Xenocrates did neither, and for that part was not invited by him: The Ambassadours returning to Athens, said, that Xenocrates went along with them to no purpose: whereupon the Athenians were ready to impose a mulct upon him; but when they understood by him, that they were at that time to consider cheifly concer∣ning the Common-wealth, Philip having corrupted the rest with gifts, and that he would not accept any, they bestowed double honours upon him. Philip said afterwards, that of those who came to him, only Xenocrates would not take any gifts.

Being sent in the time of the Lan••ack war (which was about

the second year of the 104th Olympiad) Ambassadour to Anti∣pater, about the redemption of some Athenian Prisoners, Anti∣pater invited him to sit down to supper, whereto he answer'd in the words of Ulysses in Homer,

O Circe, what man is there that is good, Before his friends are freed can think of food?

Antipater was so pleased with the ingenious application of these Verses, that he caused the Prisoners immediately to be set at liberty.

d 1.4 His clemency, saith Aelian, extended not only to men, but, often to irrationall creatures, as once, when a Sparrow, pursued by a Hawk, flew to his bosome, he took it, much pleased, and hid it till the enemy were out of sight; and when he thought it was out of fear and danger, opening his bosome, he let it go, saying, that he had not betrayed a supplyant.

c 1.5 Bion deriding him, he refused to make any answer in his own defence; for, a Tragedy, saith he, being mocked by a Comedy, needs not a reply.

To one, who though he had neither learn'd Musick, Geome∣try, nor Astronomy; yet, desired to be his Disciple: Away, saith he, you have not the handles of Philosophy. Some affirm he said, I teach not to card wool.

Antipater comming to Athens met and saluted him; which sa∣lute he returned not, untill he had made an end of the discourse he was about.

f 1.6 He was nothing proud; he assigned a particular businesse to every part of the day, a great part thereof to meditation, one part to silence.

g 1.7 Whensoever he pierc'd a vessell of Wine, it was sower'd before he spent it, and the broaths that were made for him were often thrown away the next day; whence proverbially was used, the Cheese of Xenocrates, of things that last well, and are not easi∣ly consumed.

h 1.8 Holding his peace at some detractive discourse, they asked him why he spoke not? Because, saith he, I have sometimes re∣pented of speaking, but never of holding my peace.

Yet, this man, saith Laertius, because he could not pay the sine imposed upon Aliens, the Athenians sold: Demetrius Phale∣veus bought him, contenting both parties, the Athenians with their Tribute, Xenocrates with his liberty.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Laert. Vai. Max. 4. 3.
• b 1.2

  Val. Max. 2. 10. Cic. pro. Balbo. Laert.
• c 1.3

  Laert.
• d 1.4

  Ael. var. hist. 30. 3. Laert.
• c 1.5

  Laert.
• f 1.6

  Laert. Stob. Eth. 126.
• g 1.7

  Stob. Ser. 39.
• h 1.8

  Val. Max. 7. 2.