that it was Aleaeus whom he set at liberty when he had got him in his power, and that what he said was : “ Mercy is better than vengeance.”’ Among the laws which he made is one providing that for any offence committed in a state of intoxication the penalty should be doubled ; his object was to discourage drunkenness, wine being abundant in the island. One of his sayings is, “‘ It is hard to be good,” which is cited by Simonides in this form : “ Pittacus’s maxim, ‘ Truly to become a virtuous man is hard.’”’ Plato also cites him in the Protagoras ¢: “ Even the gods do not fight against necessity.” Again, “ Office shows the man.” Once, when asked what is the best thing, he replied, ‘To do well the work in hand.” And, when Croesus inquired _ what is the best rule, he answered, ‘‘ The rule of the shifting wood,” by which he meant the law. He also urged men to win bloodless victories. When the Phocaean said that we must search for a good man, Pittacus rejoined, “ If you seek too carefully, you will never find him.” He answered various inquiries thus: “ What is agreeable?” ‘‘ Time.” ec<Obscure.? it, SThe, future? .\4 Trustworthy ? ” “The earth.” “ Untrustworthy ?”’ “The sea.” “It is the part of prudent men,” he said, “ before difficulties arise, to provide against their arising ; of courageous men to deal with them when they arisen.” Do not announce your plans beforehand ; for, if they fail, you will be laughed at. Never reproach any one with a misfortune, for fear of Nemesis. Duly restore what has been entrusted to you. Speak no ill of a friend, nor even of an enemy. Practise piety. Love temperance. Cherish truth, fidelity, skill, cleverness, sociability, carefulness.