pleasures that is best, but mastery over them without ever being worsted.” To one who reproached him with extravagance in catering, he replied, “‘ Wouldn’t you have bought this if you could have got it for three obols ? ’’ The answer being in the affirmative, “ Very well, then,” said Aristippus, “I am no longer a lover of pleasure, it is you who are a lover of money.’ One day Simus, the steward of Dionysius, a Phrygian by birth and a rascally fellow, was showing him costly houses with tesselated pavements, when Aristippus coughed up phlegm and spat in his face. And on his resenting this he replied, ‘“ I could not find any place more suitable.” When Charondas (or, as others say, Phaedo) inquired, “ Who is this who reeks with unguents ? ” he replied, “ It is I, unlucky wight, and the still more unlucky Persian king. But, as none of the other animals are at any disadvantage on that account, consider whether it be not the same with man. Confound the effeminates who spoil for us the use of good perfume.’ Being asked how Socrates died, he answered, *‘ As I would wish to die myself.’”’ Polyxenus the sophist once paid him a visit and, after having seen ladies present and expensive entertainment, reproached him with it later. After an interval Aristippus asked him, “Can you join us today?”’ On the other accepting the invitation, Aristippus inquired, ‘‘ Why, then, did you find fault ? For you appear to blame the cost and not the entertainment.’” When his servant was carrying money and found the load too heavy—the story is told by Bion in his Lectures—Aristippus cried, “ Pour away the greater part, and carry no more than you can manage. Being once on a voyage, as soon as he
The Greek stands ready in the workroom; the English is served. Both faces will read together.
Aristippus — a candidate entry
Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Volume I (Books I-V), Diogenes Laertius — translated by R. D. Hicks, 1925
Apparatus shelf — Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, vol. I (R. D. Hicks translation, Loeb L184) · R. D. Hicks, Loeb Classical Library, London: William Heinemann / New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, MCMXXV (1925)
license: public-domain (US: published 1925, pre-1930 — the MCMXXV title page verified by the 2026-07-08 acquisition lane, pin in ops/sources/MANIFEST.md; only the English rectos are served, Hicks's translation)