SAYINGS OF THE ANCIENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 15 February 1933, Page 2

SAYINGS OF THE ANCIENTS

SOME EXAMPLES When Ptolemy the Second, King of Egypt, looked from his palace window, afflicted as he was at the time with the gout, the consequence of his luxurious indulgences, and distracted by kingly anxieties, he observed a multitude of his poorer subjects reclining in festal ease on the sandy banks of the Nile. “'Miserable fate,” said the monarch, “that my fate hath not allowed mo to be one of them !” * * * * Anaxagoras, the Clazomenian philosopher, preceptor of Socrates, asked for what purpose he conceived he had en tered the world, answered, “To see sun, moon, and stars!” The same philosopher, being negligent regarding tbo politics of his town of Clazomene, was twitted for his indifference on the subject by one of his most zealous fellow citizens, who asked him whether lie was not concerned for his native country! “For my country,” replied the sage, I have always a great concern. Mv native city,” pointing to the heavens, “is perpetually the subject of my thoughts.” # # , Chlion, the sage of Sparta, equired of what was Jupiter’s employment—what was his regular daily Business in the skies? “To humble those that are elevated ; and elevate those that are humble,” said the fabulist. ■*•***

Anacharsis, though a Scythian, uttered sentiments as beautiful as those of Plato. Among his fine sayings is the one: “The vine bears three grapes. Ihe first is that of pleasure; the second is that of drunkenness; the third is that o: sorrow.” A Greek poet gave the first bowl, or crater, to the Graces, Hours, and Bacchus; the second to other heathen deities; the third to Mischief.

When Mark Antony was fast fleeing from his conqueror, after the battle of Mutina, one of his acquaintances gave as a reply to some person that enquired of him what- his master was about, ,l He is doing what dogs do m Egypt when pursued by the crocodile drinking and running. 4 * * *

Croesus, King of Lydia, who felt presumptuously proud on account of his power and riches, had dressed himself ii: his utmost splendour of apparel and royal ornament, and, seating himself on his throne, exhibited his person to Solon, as comprehending within itself the substance and sum of all worldly glory. “Have you ever beheld,” said he 1o the Grecian sage, “a spectacle more august?” “I have,” was the answe-'. “There is neither a pheasant in our fields, nor a peacock in our courtyard, v.or a cock on our dunghill, that docs not surpass you in glory!”