be sent to the other World in his extream old Age as the Custom then was it is because said he I have no cause to complain of it Another said it was fit to continue life till one found by Experience that Death was more to be desired then life The Ancients made away themselves in their afflictions Another said that there was nothing more Charming then Beauty Nor nothing that decayed so soon Caesar leading Cato Prisoner a Senator cryed out that he would rather be a Prisoner with Cato then at Liberty with Caesar and followed him to Prison A Philosopher said he did not abstain from Lusts out of Temperance but of Pleasure Because of the smarts that attends it It is said of old of the Mulâ—iplicity of Laws they are Marks of the Corruption of a Nation as the great numbers of Physicians are a sign of many diseases A Judge refusing a Present from a Party Said it was for fear he should shew himself either ungrateful or unjust A Philosopher being asked wherefore he had not Learned Musick We do not find said he Iupiter either Singing or playing on a Fidle like the other Petty Deities in the Poets Another said of the Grandees that they do all they can to lose the use of their Feet and Hands which is the greatest Curse that can befal a man Because they make their Servants put on their Shoes and Cloaths Ride in Coaches and in a word do all they can by the Ministry of others while their own Laziness destroys or weakens them to inability of their natural Functions Some Body complaining one day of his mean Fortune he was told that whoever was not content with a little would never be satisfyed with a great deal A Philosopher accused for corrupting such as frequented him It is said he because they take that with their left hand which I present them with my right A Learned man submitting in a point disputed with an Emperour said it is not safe contending with one that hath twenty Legions at his command A Young Prince being admonished to forbear Fighting or making War till he were of riper Age I am afraid said he I should lose my courage with my Youth A Conqueror sending to demand money of some to Purchase their Peace They answered that they had no money to buy a peace withal but they had Swords to defend it The wife of Phocion dressing her self very modestly said her Husband was her Ornament and Bravery One of the Ancients said that it were easie for one to become Rich if one would become wicked This alludes to the Proverb poor and honest Another said upon the consideration of Plato and Denis the Tyrant whereof the one went into Sicily and the other was a Schoolmaster in Corinth That it was not so strange to see a Prince dethroned as a Philosopher ambitious viz. A true Philosopher A Courtier said he profer'd his Service to all the World but performed it only to that that deserved it An ill man holding his peace in company it was told him that a wicked or Treacherous man's silence was more to be apprehended then his discourse It being inquired of an old man how long he had lived But a little time replyed he and many years It being no living while we live not in ease Another being asked whether he desired to dye said it is good to be always ready to quit a falling House One restored from a long Sickness said it was but troublesome to begin the Journey again which must be gone early or late Or a trouble to return back when he was almost at his Iournies end A Statesman was wont to say that in Counsel it was not so proper to debate what should be done as what could be done Or not what was in their wills but in their power Philip of Macedon being at Variance both with his Wife and his Son and asking of Demarat whether the Greeks were in unity It becomes you well said he my Lord to iniquire after the disorders of the Grecians whilst you are at discord in your own Family When some would have persuaded a Prince to resent an Offence committed by a Drunkard Would you be angry said he with a man for running against you if his Eyes were Blindfolded A Prince driven from his Throne cryed out that he never knew his Friends from his Enemies till it was out of his Power to do them either good or harm A Declamator having made a very tedious discourse of the Art of War before an Eminent Captain the Captain told him he had never seen any thing so insolent It being very impertinent to speak of those things before a man that understands them better then our selves An Orator said of an arrogant Fellow that shewed but little respect towards his Prince He thinks it reflects on his Honor to stand in fear of his Sovereign One of the Ancients said that those that love too much were more troublesome to those they loved then those that hated them Some wondering at the great Poverty of an Orator it is because I know the Art of speaking better then the Art of getting said he Or I have Study'd to speak well not to grow Rich. A great Captain fallen from his Seat just before the beginning of a Battle Courage said he 't is a Sign we ought to be sitting no longer but stand up to our business A great talker that disturbed every mans Brain in the Company was told that he would certainly speak less if it were but as much trouble to him to prate so as to them to hear it A Courtier who had heaped up a great deal of Wealth said it was by returning Thanks when they did him injury A Prince inquiring of a Philosopher how he should do to reign a long time You must said he do good to all and trust but few As Nero was putting to Death the Consederates in a conspiracy against him asking an Officer of his Guards wherefore he joyned with them Because said he I could find no other remedy against your Crimes Another told him I loved you while you deserved it But I hate you since you are become a Particide Buffoon Coach-man and Incendiaty He delighted in driving a Chariot and set Rome on fire A Prince that was too easie having succeeded a Tyrant it was said that it was a great unhappyness to live under the rule of a Prince where nothing was permitted but it was not a less to live under the reign of one that permitted every thing A Prince admiring the curious Houshold Stuff of a Private Person and asking him where he had gotten all that When we enter under anothers Roof said he we should be Deaf and Dumb. A man much applauded for an Act of Valour said he had only lent his Arm and the Deities had done the Execution A Philosopher said we ought to desire of the Gods only Beauty Health and Wealth for the rest we might attain our selves The General of
For after notice given to any one that they are going a Hunting if he be not desirous or at Leasure to go with them he lends them his Horse or Dogs And if any one wants a Chariot either because he is not well or upon any other account he takes the first he meets withal and restores it again when he hath done with it as if it were his own Those whom the night hath overtaken in Hunting if they have no Provision eat what ever they find ready at any other place and when they have had what is Sufficient they put up the rest for the owner of it By this means the Poorest are provided for out of the abundance of the Rich. There is another particular very remarkable which is this that in other places every one Labours to Enrich himself one by this Trade another by that But the Lacedemonians have no other profession but the Art of War the rest being done by Slaves To what end therefore would it be to heap up Riches the use of it being prohibited and not to be imployed either in gaudy Cloaths nor delicacy of Diet they esteeming health and Strength the greatest ornaments of the body Nor is it necessary to help a Friend for there every one may have what he Stands in need of It is enough that one can make use of his Person when requisite which is more honourable But besides that it is not allowed amongst the Lacedemonians to Enrich one's self by unjust ways it is also a very difficult thing For it would require a Cart to carry one hundred Crowns of their Money and it is forbidden under great penalties to have either Gold or Silver after which they make very Strict Search The acquisition therefore and the possession of wealth would bring more hurt and danger then it can pleasure Furthermore there is no place as I have said where more respect is given to the Laws and Magistrates for whereas in other Cities of Greece it is a kind of infamy to obey and the Rich men dispence with it in Lacedemonia the greatest men Strive most to express their obedience and run with hast and zeal wherever they are commanded to give example unto others This makes me believe they gave consent to those Laws establisht by Lycurgus and that with them he created the power of the Ephores which is the more dreaded by how much it is the more absolute For they have power to cendemn whom they will to pay a fine and to make him pay it to imprison or casbiere an Officer and make him give account of his actions without waiting till the time of his Service be expired But the prudence of Lycurgus appears principally in his having consulted the Oracle before he made his Laws thereby to give them a more then humane Authority It was likewise a great craft in him to make them prefer an honourable Death before a shameful life because more men are saved by their courage then their cowardize and every one strugles to help a Gallant Person which shews that Honour is the inseparable Companion of Virtue But it is necessary to know what he projected to render good men happy and the other sort Miserable In other places there is no greater punishment for Cowards or evil doers then to pass for what they are Mean time they Game converse and trade with any other fort of men But in Lacedemonia it is a Scandal to admit them into company or to have any dealings with them and in their Assemblies they are always put in the least honorable place They are bound to give way to any one in the Streets To rise up when they pass near them as the Boyes do to justify any Suit of Law by the Sword To give account of their actions To feed their poor kindred and marry or pay a lusty Fine They dare not adorn themselves nor take the same freedom as Creditable Persons upon pain of being abused We must not wonder therefore if an honourable Death be preferred before such an infamous life Lycurgus did hitt this well too in my opinion for to preserve the fame of mens brave Actions when they grew old he established a kind of Judicature where those Ancient Persons did preside till the time of their Death to make them the more honourable In other places they punish those that wrong their Neighbours Here they punish such as do not do all within their power to become most vertuous And indeed by other sorts of Vices we only do hurt to particular men whereas the Coward does an injury to all his Country by basely betraying it and it is for that reason the Punishments he hath ordained against that sort of People is the most Severe In sine he hath imposed upon his Citizens a pleasing and easy constraint of well doing by bestowing upon all worthy honest men a Share in the advantages of the State whether they be strong or weak or Rich or indigent men and depriving the rest utterly of them For the Antiquity of these Laws it appears by the time he lived in which was in Heraclides days tho they may be called new in respect of other people But that which is most wonderful is that they have been well known and admired by all the World and yet were never imitated by any The rest of this Treatise concerns their Manner of making War and other things of the Regality which belongs not to this Subject APOPHTHEGMES OF THE LACEDEMONIANS According to the Alphabetical order SOme admiring that a Lacedemonian King who was curious in his Learning and entertaining of knowing men did not make any use of a Stranger who was very illustrious I desire said he to be a Disciple to those amongst whom I was born He said the way to rule without Guards was to govern the people as a Father does his Children The Steward of a Feast where Agesilaus presided having enquired of him how he would have them drink If there be Wine enough said he let them drink as much as they will if not let not one have more then another It was the Greeks Custom to chuse one of the Guests to preside at the Feast Seeing a malefactor endure the torments of death with much constancy and resolution Ha the wicked Wretch said he to abuse Vertue so highly An Orator being applauded for making little things great I do not like a Shoomaker said he that makes Shooes bigger then fits the Feet And so Cleomenes reproved an Orator who made a very large dicourse upon a very little Subject the Discourse being Irregular if not proportioned to the Subject One pressing him to make good or perform an unjust promise If it be not just replyed he I have not promised it He meant that he never intended it But Kings urged the other ought never to promise but what they will perform nor others said he require any thing of them which they ought not to promise It is held that
not foreseen it and more couragious then those that durst not disclose it When Pisistratus sent to him to know upon what Grounds he undertook to oppose him he replyed upon my old Age As having nothing more to fear Cressus showing himself to him in all his Glory and asking Whether he had ever seen any thing Finer yes said he Peacocks and Phesants By how much their Beauty and Bravery is natural and his was borrowed Nor would he style him happy till he had finished his Race all being uncertain till the time of our Death Being asked whether he had given the Athenians good Laws Yes said he the best that they were capable of He said the Laws resembled the Spiders Webs that catched only poor Flies Because the little ones only are punished the great ones escape by their interests That to make an Empire lasting the Magistrates must obey the Laws and the people the Magistrates That the Athletes were good for nothing when they were become old after it had cost them a great deal to attain it That silence was the Seal of speech and time of silence Because it marks the season when to speak and when to refrain That he still learned by growing older That he had provided no Laws against Parricides because he did not believe there were any That to prevent injuries the way was that those who were not touched by them should the first Present them That Luxury attended by Riches degenerated into Tyranny He termed Cities the common-shoar of humane Misery Or the receptacle Chilon asked one who was vapouring that he had no Enemies have you no Friends neither Both the one and the other arising from the same Principle He said the perfection of man consisted in foreseeing the future as much as it was possible to do by Reason That good men differed in this from the bad that they had none but honest hopes That Gold was the Touch-stone of man That he repented himself but of one thing in all his life having advised a Party to agree that it might prevent his Friend from being condemned That is to say to prefer Friendship to Justice Or for having refused to Iudge between two for fear of giving it against one tho he had been choson Arbitrator for that purpose That when one saies what one ought not to say one is subject to hear what one would not hear That a dishonest gain is more to beappreed then a loss because we are sorry for that but once for the other all our life time Or should bemoan that but once c. That one should not undertake what one cannot perform That the Tongue ought not to outrun the Wit but must be bridled at all times especially at Feasts Because the heat of Wine and good Chear is apt to make one say things which one would not have done fasting That the three most difficult things were to keep a Secret to forget an injury and make good use of ones leasure That Iupiter's past time was to list some up and cast others down These are called the Sports of Fortune That one should not threaten because that â—orewarnes them to stand upon their Guard That one ought not to take a Wife too well qualifyed with Beauty Birth Grandeur or Riches for fear of taking a Mistriss instead of a Wife or Mate That we must not speak evil of those that cannot defend themselves He meant it of the Dead That we should honor old Age not only upon the Score of Reason but of Interest That care may be bad of us when old Age is come That the great ones ought not to be flattered lest they become proud That to make themselves be loved as much as respected they ought to temper their Majesty with sweetness Or they should descend a little from their height That to Govern a State well one should Govern his Family well That one must ever stand upon the Guard against ones self That one should guide ones self in such a manner as not to fall into contempt nor into hatred By too much pride or too little Spirit That one should despise Death but without neglecting life That what it had of most affrightful was the Preparation towards it That one should neither desire it nor fear it Which he expressed in these Terms I will not dye but I care not if I were Dead That one should be old when one is young and young in old Age that is to say wise in one and not peevish in the other That one ought to remember kindnesses received and forget those one has done Pittacus being told that to put in execution what he had propounded they must find out an honest man The thing is then impossible said he He said that a Pardon was of more value then Repentance That is to say then revenge which is subject to repentance That of all things the Ieast ingrateful was time the most obscure things to come the most faithful the Earth and the most unfaithful the Sea That the half was worth more then the whole It is a riddle which may be expounded of divers things and particularly of Riches and of Quality the Mediums of which are by Aristotle held the best That there is nothing more certain then to dispose of the Present without waiting the Future Because of it's uncertainty He added that it belonged to Prudence to foresee it and Resolution to undergo it When it comes and is unhappy That one ought not to divulge their designs lest missing one be laughed at He ordained a double punishment to those that did any Mischief being Drunk One for the fault committed and the other for the Drunkenness When some wicked Villains were invoking the Gods in a Tempest Hold your peace said Bias and if possible let them not know that you are here An Impious Fellow asking him what Piety was He gave no answer and when the other muttered at it what hast thou to do with it said he it concerns thee not Being Judge he wept at the Condemnation of guilty Persons and said He gave one to Nature the other to the Law He said the worst of wild Beasts was the Tyrant of tame ones the Flatterer That the most difficult to undergo of all things was the change of Fortune and added that those that had ever been unfortunate were not so That hope was the most pleasing thing of life but the most esteemed was profit That it was better to be a judge betwixt Enemies then betwixt Friends because amongst the first one was sure to gain a Friend among the other an Enemy Periander said to those that asked him wherefore he retained the Dominion That it was as dangerous to quit it as to take it Or to lose it as 't is in the Greek That Kings ought to be Environed with good Will in stead of Guards that is to say that to raign Securely it is necessary to have the Affections of the People Cleobulus said
Apophthegme be met with hâ—â—e which shall not be found in Plutarch or that it speak otherwise then he relates it let me not be rashly condemned but first examine the reasons of it's variation upon the grounds above mentioned Besides there are many in that Author under the name of him to whom they were spoken as for Example that of Parmenion when he found the Grecian Ambassadors murmurred while they attended at the Door of Philip because he made them wait so long before he gave them Audience Do not wonder Sirs said he that he Sleeps while you are waking for he was awake whilst you slepâ— to reproach them what advantages they had suffered him to take during their Divisions This Plutarch had placed on Philip whereâ—s it belonged to Parmenion Others are likewise ranged in a different order either because they were put in the beginning whâ— they should have been at the end as thoâ— which were spoken at their Death or eâ— because they were jumbled together unaware I need not to mention the many new ones iâ—â—serted amongst those that are purely pleasanâ— Nor shall I need excuse these or any other for not being set down according to the oâ—â—der of time for time signifies but little 〈◊〉 an Apophthegme and to bestow the pain of searching or computing the time woulâ— be of more trouble then benefit The name are not always mentioned neither it werâ— not worth the while to search for them beâ—sides that many in the Original are omitâ—ted Grave or Sententious APOPHTHEGMES OF Great Men. STRANGERS CYrus was wont to say That those that do no good to themselves are constrained to do good to others He meant in my opinion to their Heirs whom they enâ—ched by their covetousness though Erasâ—us hath taken it in another Sence Being yet a Child he told Astyages who would perswade him to drink Wine That â—e feared it was Poyson having observed that â—rinces reeling and other strange disorders in â—is drunkenness He said One is not worthy to command â—nless he be better or worthier than those he â—s to command At least in the Art of Government for it is possible that an ill man maâ— have Qualifications fit to Govern which hoâ—nest men are not always furnish'd with thougâ— he cannot have them all unless he be virtuouâ— He would not suffer the Persians to quâ— their barren and mountainous Country 〈◊〉 possess a more fruitful one For fear said he that should soften their courage as if thâ— Spirits of men did change with the Nature oâ— the Soil as well as Plants He would not be perswaded to let a beautiâ—ful Woman be brought into his presence thâ—â— he might see her while she was his Prisonerâ— For fear said he lest I should become a slave 〈◊〉 my slave His Steward asking what he would have 〈◊〉 be made ready for his Dinner while his Armâ— was on a march Some bread replies he for mean to encamp by a River To intimatâ— that all Luxury should be laid aside in a timâ— of War He said at his dying he could not be peâ—â—swaded that the Soul which had been able tâ— subsist so long in a mortal body could possiâ—bly perish when it was freed from it Cresus at the taking of Sardes seeing thâ— Soldiers plunder and destroy every thing askâ—ed Cyrus what they were doing They arâ— plundering your Riches said he Nay rather yours replied Cresus for the Treasures of the vanquished are the Conquerors This made him stop them from their pillaging Darius said That dangers made him become wise because they awaken our attention and encrease our Experience Some body upon the opening of a Granade â—â—pple asking him of what would you deâ—â—e to have as many as here are Kernels he â—â—swered as many Friends 'T is that indeed â—hich Kings stand most in need of because of â—â—e multitude of Flatterers One of his Subjects having horribly torn â—â—d mangled his face and body to gain credit â—â—ith the Babylonians who were revolted and 〈◊〉 that means insinuated himself and recoveâ—â—d the City for him by that artifice he exâ—â—essed much discontent and said he would â—ther have lost ten Babylons than one such â—riend or he would rather see Babylon again 〈◊〉 the Rebels hands than see his true Friend in â—â—at condition His Treasurers having setled the Taxes as â—irly and equally as they could let them aâ—te one half yet said he that the burthen be â—sie The last King of Persia admiring the Virâ—es of Alexander If the Gods said he will â—â—ke this Empire from me may they give it to one other but him Xerxes having reduced the Babylonians to â—â—eir duty brought all manner of Luxury and â—ebauchery in fashion instead of the Exercise 〈◊〉 Arms they used before To prevent them 〈◊〉 he from making a second revolt There â—ing nothing that so much effeminates the â—urage as debauchery Having a Present made him of Figs from â—â—hens let us forbear rasting them said he till we have conquer'd the Country that proâ—duces them To teach us to despise Forreigâ—â— Curiosities He said to those that admired to see hiâ— weep when he considered the infinite number of men that were in his Army It is becauâ—â— that of this swarm of thousands there shalâ— not one of them be living one hundred year hence Intending to pass over into Greece he calleâ— all his Generals and Governors of Provincâ— together and told them that he had not suâ—â—moned them to that place to hear their Opinâ—â—ons but to tell them his It had been moâ—â— modest to let them guess that then to 〈◊〉 them so for the burthen of subjection shoulâ— be made as easie as possible Being unable to force a passage he cried oâ—â— he had a great Army and but a few Soldiers and Arthemisa having acted wonders at the bâ—â—â—tle of Salamina he said the Men were turnâ—â— Women and the Women Men. Artaxerxes said that it was more worth for a Prince to give than to receive Becauâ—â— Riches and Liberality is the portion of tâ—â— Great and cannot be exercised by Inferiors When his great Lords committed aâ—â— faults he caused their Garments to be whiâ—â— instead of them To punish them said 〈◊〉 by their own shame In the East the Grâ—â—â—dees are wont to be punished like Rascals aâ— suffer the same as their Slaves One of his Officers having been promisâ— a sum of money if he could obtain a thing â—im that was unjust upon his Petition gave â—im the like sum of money but would not grant his Petition For I will shew my self â—â—beral said he but not unjust This is the â—ore noble because great men most commonly gratifie their own Officers out of other mens â—â—urses Themistocles taking Sanctuary under his proâ—ection after his banishment May the Gods â—aid he inspire all my Enemies with the like â—houghts and resolutions viz. of banishing â—heir ablest Counsellors As some would have hindred Cyrus the younger who made war upon his Brother to be
there were two things to be feared the Envy of Friends and the Hatred of Enemies Anacarsis bid them tell Solon coming to see him that it was a Stranger who sought his Friendship Go and let him know replyed Solon that it is in his own Country he should make Friends and not amongst Strangers then coming in briskly to him I am in my own Country said he He was come to dwell in Greece He said the best Ship was that which was Arrived in Port and replyed to those that asked him Whether there were more Living or Dead Amongst which do you reckon those that are Sailing Another said those that are asleep Being asked whether there were any Musick in his Country He replyed that there was not so much as any Vines To show that was the Prompter to debauch He likewise said there were two sorts of Grapes the one Sweet the other Sowre To note the different effect of Wine in the divers use of it An Athenian reproaching him that he was a Scythian My Country said he is a shame to me and thou art a shame to thy Country To a Debauched man that did some Extravagancies he said if he could not bear Wine better in his youth he should be forced to drink Water in his old Age. He said that the publick Market Place was the Theatre of Injustice Because of the frauds committed in trade That Drunkenness was a lesson for Sobriety Because of the inconveniencies one endures and the infamy that follows the Greek saies the sight of Drunkards But my expression extends yet further That the Tongue was the worst and the best part of man Or member for the ill and the good it can do That the prosperity of the wicked was the affliction of the good That in Greece it was the Ignorant that gave judgement and the wise that were judged Because the common people presided in those sports of which they understood little regulated the Politicks in which they understood yet less and called the Generals to account without any Skill or Knowledge of the Military Art at all He wondered that at Feasts they began with little Glasses and concluded with great and thus Drank small Draughts when they were thirsty and greater when thirst was gone But otherwise their thirst would have been abated too soon and by consequence the pleasures of a Debauch could not have lasted He was Slain in Scythia attempting to bring in the Grecian Customes and said dying that the Envy which had spared him amongst strangers had murthered him at home To a Grecian who reproached him that he was a Barbarian He replyed thou wouldst be so in my Country as I am in thine Myson said that we must not judge of Things by the Words but of Words by the Things They are the Rulâ—â— and by consequence the only Measure Some admiring that he laughed to himself being alone 'T is for that Reason I laugh said he He loved no company When Anaxagoras his Kindred reproved him for that he took no care of his Wealth Do you take Care of it then replyed he and gave it them Note the saying of Cicero that there is nothing so Foolish but hath been said by some Philosopher One might add done Some body finding fault with him that he cared not for his Country You deceive your self said he pointing to the Heavens And therefore he said he was Born to contemplate the Sun and Stars Being twitted that he was deprived of his Country by his Exile as that is of me replyed he Diogenes said as much Of Mausoleus Tomb he said it was Gold turned into Stone The same may be said of all stately Buildings As some were bemoaning that he must dye in a Forraign Land The way to the other World said he is as near from one place as the other Pericles endeavouring to dissuade him from the resolution he had taken to dye When one would have the light of a Lamp to continue said he they put some Oyl to it He was in want He said that knowledge did as much hurt to such as knew not how to use it as it did good to others That Age and Sleep did by little and little teach us the way to Death That of all those whom we held to be happy there was not one that was so Socrates having received a kick will you not â—esent it said some No more replyed he â—hen if an Ass had struck me Of Heraclitus's Works he said that what he understood was very exquisite and he believed that what he did not understand was so too but that it required a good Diver to go to the bottom Because of their profoundness Alcibiades having bestowed a great deal of Ground upon him to build This is said he â—ike one that should bestow a whole Oxe Hide â—o make one pair of shoes As having no â—â—eed of a great House being but poor In a Fair beholding a multitude of Wares â—nd diversity of Merchandize How many â—hings I have no need of cryed he He was wont to say there is no Sauce like a good Appetite and that Water seemed good to the thirsty He said that knowledge and ignorance were the Principles of good and evil and that not only Nobility and Riches were no goods But that they caused many evils As some were reproaching Antisthenes that he was Born of a Thracian Mother That is said he because from two Athenians so great a man could not have proceeded Because of the Luxury and the softness of Athens He learned Musick in his old Age saying it was never too late to learn Or it was always time enough to learn Observing some were paying very dear for Fruits before the due season he asked whether they despaired that Season would eveâ— come While they were Acting a Tragedy of Euripides where he Scoffs at Vertue he wenâ— away saying it was a shame they took care to keep a Slave secure and yet suffered so precious a thing to be cast away Some body asking his advice whether hâ— should Marry or not which soever you do you will repent said he Because we arâ— ever wearied with our present condition finding thâ— inconveniences His Wife being offended that he but Sleâ—derly treated some people of Fashion If theâ— are worthy men said he they will be contented if not I do not care to pleaâ—â— them He said of those that were afraid to speaâ— before the People that they dreaded thoâ—â— in Companies whom they despised Single One of his Scholars having nothing to give him gave himself to him Thou doest not think said he what a great Present thou hast made me for since every thing was made for man man is more worth then any thing else that can be given When it was told him that he was Condemned to Death by the Athenians and they said he by Nature But it is unjustly added his Wife Wouldst thou have it to be justly replyed he The day he was to Drink
Reason That being the Soul of Law That the wicked sought after power without probity but that the one could not be without the other but to the ruin of humane kind That Virtue is an Inheritance that could not be lost That Enemies are more necessary then Friends because they correct our errours whereas the other flatter us This agrees with another reprehension That there is nothing wonderful in the World but Vice Plato maintaining that a Prince ought to have no other aim but the good of his Subjects Denys the Tyrant told him that his discourse smelt of the old Dotard And thine replyed he of the Tyrant That Prince having Written to him that he should speak no more ill of him he said he had not leasure to talk of him Reproving a Young man for some folly Thou reprovest me said he for a small matter But Custom is no small matter replyed Plato He advised those that were given to Drink to View themselves in a Lookinglass when they were Drunk This hath some Analogy with the Lacedemonian Custom to shew their Drunken Slaves to their Children to make them abhor it He said that Greatness was the companion of Solitude Because the pride of great ones renders them insupportable Or unsociable He loved not Idleness and would have all leasure time employed in some useful thing He refused to give Laws to the Cyreneans because they were too Voluptuous Or too much at their ease which sort of people are hard to be Governed He said one should measure his discourse according to the Capacity of the Auditors and not to his own He blamed sorrowing for the Dead as useless and said we know not whether good or evil hath betided them I trample upon Plato's pride said Diogenes treading upon one of his Rich Carpets Yes said Plato but with greater Pride Diogenes Diogenes one terrible Frosty Morning came into the Market-Place and exposed himself naked to shew his Tolerance Many of the People came about him pitying him Plato observing it and knowing he did it to be seen said to the People as he went by if you pitty him indeed let him alone to himself To shew be did it to be admired Seeing one do an evil act Am I like to that man said he He would have one exercise the Body with the mind as inseparable companions He said his Reputation would serve him for a Monument and that there could be none more magnificent A small Bird pursued by a Hawk having flown into the Arms or Bosome of Xenocrates he sheltred it with his Cloak Not to betray said he those that fly or have recourse to our protection He rejected a Scholar who would have come to hear him before he had learned the Mathematicks as not being â—urnished as he said with the Key of Philosophy The Mathematicks opens the Eyes of the understanding and â—â—rges it from all matter He refused Alexanders's Presents and having treated his Ambassadors with his ordinary meal You may see said he that I have no need of them Because he was at no great exâ—ence He said one had often reason to repent for having spoken but never for holding ones peace And yet it might happen that for want of speaking a man might neglect or forfeit his Duty his Reputation or his Fortune but we must not examine an Apophthegme too soverely To avoid making any reply to the Scoffs of a Comedian he said That Tragedy never Vouchsafes to answer Comedy when she rallies He compares Philosophy to Tragedy because of it's gravity Denys the Tyrant telling Plato some body will take off thy Head Not before this said Xenocrates pointing to his own To shew he would defend him to the Death He said one should not carry ones Eyes nor hands into anothers House The Greek saies Feet That one should guard the Ears of Children with no less care then the Athletes did their own To speak nothing but what is good in their hearing The Athletes Armed their Ears with somewhat because a blow on the Temples is mortal He said that Pride was the great Obstacle to Learning Because having an Opinion of their own knowledge they will learn no more Polemon neglecting his words to keep closer to his matter faid that those were derided who spake well and did ill When Archelaus held with any opinion that was propounded to him He would say this is my own Sentiment and if he were against it he would say that is not the Opinion of such a one naming some-body Out of Modesty as unwilling directly to contradict another in his own Person Treating some Strangers and finding there was no Bread when they were sitting down to Table How little said he does a Philosopher understand Feasting He said that Poverty like Vlysses his Country was Barren yet the Nursery of brave Youth Because we are corrupted through plenty That there were many diseased where there were many Physicians and many Vices where there are multiplicity of Laws Many the like Observations might be made in other instances It being said that from other Sects they passed to that of Epicurus but from the Epicureans to no others That is because of Cocks one may make Capons said he but of a Capon one can never make a Cock. Having the Gout Carneades would needs leave him alone to bemoan himself in quiet Stay said he for what pain soever my Feet endure it hath not invaded my heart As much as to say he was not concerned at it Bion said that none had more care upon them then those that would take no care Because their want of care made them become overwhelmed with business at last To dissuade from Marriage he was wont to say that an ill favoured one made the Heart ake and a beautiful one the Head By reason of Iealousie Speaking of Riches he said that we ought not to value things bestowed by Chance kept by Vice and confounded or squandred away by Virtue By the first is meant Fortune the second Covetousness the third Liberality He compared those in high Offices to men walking on the Ice who are ever in danger of falling He said old Age was the Harbour of all Miseries Either because all mischiefs flow into it Or because it brings Death that puts an end to all Or the safest harbour is the Grave That it was a great Misfortune not to be able to undergo Misfortune That Fame was the Mother of Time Because it makes a man live after he is dead That the way to Hell was very easie since it is found out Blindfold He meant the Grave He called Beauty other Folks goods Because one is not properly Beautiful to ones self but to others He said Money was the Sinews of business It is said to be the Sinews of War because it cannot be made without money That Impiety was the Enemy of Assurance In Pythagoras 't is said nothing is so fearful as an ill Conscience This relates to the same Being siezed on
together with some Thieves we are lost cryed they if they know us And I said he if they do not know us A good man hath as much interest to be known as a Knave to be conceal'd Of a Covetous Wretch he saidâ— he did not possess his Riches But his Riches possessed him and he made use of it as if it were anothers and yet took care as if it were his own He said that Prudence was the Eye of Virtue and served for Valour in Old men as Valour for Prudence in the Young Because the first exempts old men from danger and the second brings the others out of it That one should Honor old Age because every one would fain live to it This is better expressed then one foregoing therefore I have set down both That one should preserve Friends however they proved lâ—st our judgement be called in question or for fear they be changed for worse In the Greek it is that it may not be thought we had ill ones or that we have cut off good ones Of a Melancholly Envious Wretch he said one cannot well guess whether any ill be hapned to him or any good to others He would have one be assured they have profited in Vertues School when they did any good thing without regarding Praises or Reproof Aristotle said that one gained nothing by lying but the reputation of not being believed when one spake truth Giving an Alms to a wicked man he said that he did not give to the Person but to Nature whose infirmities requires relief In the Greek it is not to the manners but to the man however I find it in others as I have put it He said the mind was Enlightned by learning as the Eye by the Air that surrounds it That the Athenians had invented the Law and Agriculture or Husbandry but that they had quitted the one to exercise the other That the Roots of Sciences were bitter but the Fruits were sweet That nothing grew old so soon as a good turn That he was Socrates's Friend and a Friend to Plato but much more to the truth That to be Learned there were three things requisite the Genius or Nature Study or Exercise That Beauty was a great letter of recommendation Others have called it the gift of Heaven A Royalty without Guards A short Tyranny A precious evil A pleasing Deceit c. That Knowledge differed from Ignorance as life from death and that study was an Ornament in good Fortunes aud a help in bad and a great Treasure for old Age. I have removed it hither from another place below That Friendship was like the Soul of two Bodies That some lived as if they had but a short while to live and others as if they were never to dye The Prodigal and the Covetous That the question wherefore one delights to look on a Beautiful Person was the question of the Blind That Philosophy had taught him to do those things Voluntarily which others did by Compulsion That the way to make a Progress in the Sciences is to cast our Eyes on thoâ—e that out-run us not on those that Lagg after us That we should Govern our selves towards our Friends as we would have them behave themselves towards us That one should neither blame nor praise for the one seemed folly the other presumption That one not ought so much to look on the head of lustful pleasure as the tayl Because of the mischiefs that follow That to go about to prove things which are evident in themselves is to light the Sun with a Candle That Envy is the Attendant on Fortune That we ought not to regard from what place we came but what place we were worthy of and that dignity did not consist in Possessing of honors but deserving them He called hope the dream of a waking man Hearing some body abused him in words when he was absent let him beat me too said he if he please when I am not near him One day he cryed on t Ha my Friends there are no Friends As much as to say Friendship is but a meer name in respect of what Philosophers would have it to be Diogenes importuning Antisthenes that he might be his Scholar Antisthenes lifted up his staff to strike him Strike said he provided you will teach me He lived in a Tun under the Portico of a Temple and said that no Palace was more magnificent and that what was every mans was no mans Seeing Plato eating Olives at a Feast To eat of those said he one need not have gone into Sicilia Because they were common in Athens and a man that could be satisfyed with little and had no need of making Courtship to great men He was asked where he had ever seen any brave men No where replyed he butâ— have seen brave Children in Lacedemonia Because that was a School of Vertue He ever praised those who said they would Marry yet never Married that they would go to Sea yet never sailed that they would manage Affairs yet never undertook them And derided those Grammarians who found out Ulysses his Errours and neglected their own Those Musicians that put their Instruments in Tune and left their passion in discord Those Astrologers that lift their Eyes always up to Heaven and do not see or know what is at their Feet Those Orators that Study to speak well and not to do well Those covetous Wretches that take care to get Wealth and not to make use on 't Those Philosophers that Praise the contempt of Greatness and yet court the Great ones and those that often Sacrifice for their health and surâ—eit themselves with Eating at those Sacrificingsâ— No body giving Ear to him while he discoursed of Virtue he fell a Singing and every one Crowding to hear him Great Gods said he how much more is Folly loved then Wisdom He admired that Servants could stand waiting so long behind their Master at a Feast and not Snatch away the Meat Because people talk a long while after they have filled their Bellies while the Servant is almost Starved When they were selling him being a Capâ—ive He cryed out who will Purchase a Maâ—ter And told those who inquired what he could do That he could command and him that bought him that he resolved to obey him 〈◊〉 great Persons did their Physician while they were Sick adding that he that led a Lyon â—as properly his Slave and not his Master He wondred that one would sill a Kettle with Water before they would buy it and â—et would buy a man before they had tryed â—im Or a Tub with Water c. He said he always set things a note higher â—imitation of Mustek Masters that the Schoâ—â—â—s might indeavour to raise themselves to as â—igh a Pitch as they could proportionably As â—â—opkeepers ask more then they will sell for He said that all things absolutely necessaâ—y for life were cheap and Superâ—luous things â—oâ—t very dear As for Example a Loaf of â—â—ead a
then ever he had saved by his pleading for him That is said he because I have more truth then Eloquence Or my integrity is greater then my Eloquence The same asking him by way of reproach for the meanness of his Birth who is thy Father He replyed it would be harder to â—â—â—ess who is thine Because his Mother had an 〈◊〉 Fame These two Apophthegmes are elsewhere 〈◊〉 only by allegation Hortensius the Orator saying to him by â—ay of answer to some of his Railleries That 〈◊〉 understood no Enigma's And yet you â—ave a Sphinx at home replyed he To twit 〈◊〉 how he had been corrupted with Bribes amongst â—â—ich was a Sphinx of great value This was a â—â—â—nster that propounded Riddles Of a man who had very ill favoured Chilâ—â—en he said that he Marryed in despite of Veâ—â—â— and the Graces In the Original it is said â—pollo Some body who had made his escape out of â—â—sars Camp having left his Horse behind to â—â—oid Discovery He hath taken more care of 〈◊〉 Horse then himself said he As believâ—â—â— Pompey to be the weaker After the Battle of Pharsalia some body sayâ—â— there were Seven Eagles left yet That â—ere well enough said he if we were to Fight â—gainst the Mag-pies Being reproached in Pompey's Camp that â—e was come very late There is nothing reaâ—â—â— yet said he He made an allusion to Feastâ—â—â— and reproved those people for their negliâ—â—nce Pompey having bestowed the Freedom or â—â—ght of a Citizen to a Gaul He gives said 〈◊〉 Rome to a stranger and cannot restore 〈◊〉 to the Romans Of good old Wine lie said it bears it's â—â—ge very well His Son in Law who was very little wearing a long Sword he said his Son in Law was tyed to his Sword Or hung upon his Sword Observing a great Stone Statue of his Brothers head who was likewise a very little man the half of my Brother said he is bigger then the whole His Daughter walking very quick and his Son vere Slow my Daughter walks like a man said he my Son like a Woman Milon's accuser crying out at what Hour Sirs do you think that Clodius was kill'd he replyed late It was done indeed at a late Hour but his meaning was he should have been killed sooner Some body pretending to be Younger then indeed he was when we two studyed together said he you were not then it seems in the World A Stranger telling him that he was come to Caesar to obtain the liberty of his Country 〈◊〉 Get ours restored to us said he when thou hast obtained thine To a Lady somewhat old who would not own to be above thirty Years he said she owned the same about thirty Years ago To such as reproached an old man for taking a Young Girl She will be Woman tomorrow said he He told an Ancient Orator who alwayâ— began with an excuse for his Age that hâ— would never want an Exordium A Gowty Person telling him that he begaâ— to walk farther and farther every day It 〈◊〉 because the days grow longer said he Being grown thirsty whilst he was indeaâ—ouring to be chosen Consul he was constrained to Drink in the Publick Market-place when spying the Censor let us hide our selves said he that he may not see us Drink Water Because he was a Drunkard Going to visit Vatinius who was Consul but one day let us make hast said he before his Consulship expires He also said that he was very vigilant not having slept so much as once in all the time of his Consulship Some making much of a Fool upon his becoming Rich he asked whether any one had 〈◊〉 queathed him an estate of Wisdom Having bought a Horse which he had openly declared he would not purchase he said to excuse it that it was to get the better Penny-worth Excusing himself for having commended an 〈◊〉 man he said it was to Exercise his Wit As some have praised the plague or a Feaver Crassus having been to sup with him as a token of his reconciliation he said of another who was willing to be reconciled afterwards Is it because he would Sup with me likewise An old Senator having said That so long as he lived such a business should not be done We have not long to wait said he Some body that had been accused for Poysoning his Father at a Feast hapning to threaten him He told him that I would rather thou shouldest threaten me then treat me however Some body taxing Cato for Drinking alâ— Night long Thou forgetest said he that iâ— is after he has Gamed all the day To destroyâ— or contradict one lye with another more increâ—dible Caesar alledging in his defence of Nicomede the obligations he had to him Every onâ— knows well enough the reciprocal engagement you have to each other said he Caesar waâ— accused for having prostituted himself to thaâ— Prince He said of such as stole from the Writing of the Ancients that they did like thosâ— Thieves that changed the handle of theiâ— Neighbours Pot that it might not be known again So they disguised their theft to make thâ— things pass for their own compositions Caesar said of Sylla that he could not read because he deposed the Dictatorship Onâ— must know how to read to be able tâ— dictate Augustus having blotted out a Tragedy of Ajax which he had composed and did not pleasâ— him it being afterwards inquired of him what his Ajax did he hath stabbed himselâ— through the Body with a Spunge said he Alluding to the Death of Ajax We might more properly say with a Pen but the old way of Writinâ— was rubb'd out with a Spung. One presenting a Petition to him and trembling One would think said he that it werâ— a piece of bread thon wert presenting to an Elephant Because men are afraid to go near them One of his Courtiers telling him there is a report abroad that you intend to bestow a gift upon me Have a care you do not believe it replyed he A man whom he had set aside from an ill employment intreating he would bestow the like Present upon him as he had done upon others to take off the disgrace he received Say that thou hast had it replyed he and I will not deny it A Young Debauched Fellow whom he turned out of his Camp saying to him what shall I tell my Father when he sees me return home again Tell him thou couldest not comply with my humour said he A Coward shewing him an Honorable wound Have a care thou doest not look back said he the next time thou runnest away At the end of a Meal where he had not been too well treated I did not know said he that we were such good Friends Or so Familiar We use to say treat you as a Friend when we do it slightly Looking on some purple which was somewhat too dark and the Merchant telling him that it should be looked upon in a better light Must I walk always in the Sun-shine said he when
I put it on His Nomenclator who was a little defective in his memory going into the Market-place Take said he some letters of recommendation for thou knowest no body These Nomenclators made profession of knowing every body that so one might call them by their name◠when they saluted or met them Which was then ◠Mark of Honor and at present of contempt A man much in debt dying very old Le◠them buy his Bed for me said he it must be a very good one since he could Sleep so quietly in it under such Circumstances Those of Terragone coming to Congratulate him because a Branch of Palm-Tre◠sprung up upon an Altar consecrated to him It is a sign said he you have not often mad◠Fires there on Some body having made an Idle request to him and he observing another that stood ready to make a Second much like it I shall no sooner grant what you desire said he but shall grant what he requests likewise Being informed that Herod had put his own Son to Death he said he would rather have been his Hog then his Son The Iews killed no Swine because they eat none Being displeased that his Daughter kept only Young People about her and pointing to Livia who had none but such as were Aged Those were Young replyed she when she too◠them but are grown old in her Service Tiberius having seized on the Empire and out of Modesty refusing the proffers made him by the Senate it was said that others could hardly make good what they promised and he hardly promised what he made good◠A Grammarian whom he went to Rhodes to visit having put him off for Seven days he did no more but only put him off for Seven Years when he was Emperour and the other came to visit him Caligula called Livia a Gowned Vlysses and said that Virgil had no Wit and less Learning and that the Style of Titus Livius was too much extended and too much neglected and his Language relished of the Peasant A Senator going from Rome into the Country to be Purged and desiring a Prolongation of time he said They ought to Bleed him since Purging was ineffectual and so caused him to be put to Death A Judge falling asleep at a Publick Sale and nodding often with his Head he awarded him to pay an immense Summ for somewhat that was set up to be sold saying he made a Sign with his Head that he would have it at that price demanded for it When he Gamed he would Swear at every turn that his Chance was so and so and then Sweep up the stakes and going forth one day torefresh himself whilst another play'd his hand he confiscated the Estates of a couple of Wealthy Citizens and at his return said that he had never plaid a better Game Clodius complaining of his Poverty whilst those about him took from every one with both Hands he was told that if he would but go Snips with his Officers he might soon become Rich enough Nero having Poysoned him with a Dish of Mushrums◠did ever after call that Meat the Food of the Gods Because they consecrated the Emperours after their Death Having sent some to kill a Consul while he was at a Feast when he heard how much the rest of the company were affrighted he said they had paid dearly for the Honor of Eating with a Consul Being necessitated in his Flight to Drink some Water out of a Brackish Slough he said that that was none of Nero's Ptisane Vespasian informed by one certain Florus that he must Pronounce the O in the Latin words very open or broad the next Morning he saluted him by the name of Flaurus Having made a Present to a Lady that was Enamour'd with him his Treasurer asking how he should put that down in his account Put it replyed he to a Lady that thought me Handsome This is the more pleasant because he was very homely and ill favour'd looking like one that sits crowding on a Close-stool when too much bound which occasioned that repartee from a jeaster whom he would needs engage to say something I'l◠stay only till you have done your business Or empty'd your Belly One that waited upon him requesting a Favour from him for one whom he called his Brother he took this man aside and inquiring what he was to give him for doing it would needs have the Money himself and then told his Servant go and look thee out another Brother for this is mine Another time observing his Coach-man would needs stop and new Shoe his Mules to give one an opportunity to speak with him He afterwards asked him how much he had got for his shooing and would needs have the one half of it A certain City having designed or decreed to set up a Statue for him he told the Deputies that were sent to him about it I will have it here said he holding forth his Hand and made them pay down the money that was for it The Sepulchre of the Emperors opening of it self and a Comet appearing he said in a jeasting way that the first Prodigy concerned a Lady who was now forgotten being of the Caesars Family and the other the Parthian King who wore long Hair Dying he said he felt he was becoming a God As much as to say he was dying because they consecrated Emperours after Death Domitian said of one that trick'd up himself I wish I were as Handsome as such a one takes himself to be An old man having caused his Gray-locks to be dyed of a Youthful Colour requesting somewhat of the Emperour Adrian I have already refused your Father the same thing said he Alexander told another that he should rather change his Knees then his Hair Because old Age is most defective there and his Father added that such men were not to be trusted and set such a one aside from his place of Iudicature Knowing that a Woman had made some Secret reproaches to her Husband and hinting somewhat of it to him when he saw him Hath my Wife written the same things to you as she did to me replyed the Husband A Grecian whom Marcus Aurelius had sent for to be his Sons Tutor saying to him at his first approach that it was the Scholars part to go to the Master and not the Masters to come to the Scholar It has proved an easier thing for this man said the Emperour to come from Greece into Ità ly then from the City of Rome to the Princes Palace To tax his pride Heliogabulus called cowardly Senators long Gowned Slaves He said the price of Meats served to whet the appetite and could not relish or eat of such Food as was cheap Some condemning his great expence when he was but a private man I will be the sole Heir to my self said he Meaning he would devour all and leave nothing A Prince who Murthered his Brother having taken the name of Parthique afterwards it was said he ought to take that of Getique