The tablet of Cebes the Theban philosopher, or, A true emblem of human life with an additional treatise concerning tranquillity of mind / written by Hipparchus and translated by Robert Warren.

AN ADMONITION To the READER.

IN a certain Dialogue of Plato's, which is call'd Phoedo, there is mention made amongst others of one CEBES, who is suppos'd the Author of this Excellent TA∣BLET, by Caselius; who hath

put Notes upon it. But Wol∣fius, who had made a little Comment upon it, long before Caselius, seems to question it. Yet Diogenes Laertius, in his Lives of the Philosophers, and Chalcidius do peremptorily as∣sert, that CEBES was the Author. Tertullian, Julius Pollux, Suidas, and Lucian, with many other Renowned Writers unanimously agree in the same; that there was one CEBES, a Philosopher, who liv'd Four Hundred and Sixty Years before the Birth of our Blessed Lord and Saviour: that

He was Born at Thebes in Boeotia, and was the Disciple of Socrates; and, according to the Testimony of Laertius, He wrote Three Dialogues; two whereof are lost, only This remaining.

But now, it is no great matter, who is the Author, since the TABLET is very Elegant, and generally approv'd of by the most Eminent Writers. But here, I desire to insert one Caution, which shall be this. Let none, before they look into it, seem to slight or contemn it, by reason of its smallness; for the Excellent Doctrine, that is

in it, will easily compensate, and make a sufficient Apology, for its deficiency in that respect. And meer Reason, and daily Experience, have long since Taught us this Lesson, That a little Gold is of more value than much Lead; and that there is more Excellency in a small Diamond, or Ruby, than in some Quarries of Freestone. That it is Quality, not Quan∣tity, that for the most part sets price and esteem upon things. And if so, as we all are ready to acknowledge; I may most safely infer, that this Book, tho'

small in Bulk, yet is great in Worth: and I am very confi∣dent, you may find richer Furni∣ture in this little Room, than in more capacious Edifices.

Accept it then, as the Pro∣duct of my Tender Years, and the pleasing Entertainment of a few spare Hours: and (if you dare take my word) most as∣suredly great will be the Profit, and Pleasure, which will ac∣crew to thee, from thy diligent and frequent perusal of it. For here thou hast a fair Prospect and View of the Life of Man, even from the Cradle to the

Grave. In these few sheets thou maist plainly perceive, with what Joys, and Trophies, a Re∣ligious Man is Crown'd; and on the contrary, with what scorn and derision, infamy and punishment, a Foolish, and Wic∣ked Man is most deservedly treated.

Wouldst thou then hear the true Encomium of this TA∣BLET in one word? It will at once delight thy Mind, ex∣cite thy Thoughts, conduct thee into the Right Way, by True Instruction; and at length, af∣ter thou hast continued there

some space of Time, it will Crown thee with Everlasting Life and Prosperity.

Read it then attentively, Meditate on it seriously, and Follow the good Advice con∣tain'd in it industriously. Fare∣well.