John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Page 947
| Diogenes Laërtius. (fl. early 3d cent.) (continued) |
| 9124 |
| Arcesilaus had a peculiar habit while conversing of using the expression, “My opinion is,” and “So and so will not agree to this.” |
| Arcesilaus. xii. |
| 9125 |
| Bion used to say that the way to the shades below was easy; he could go there with his eyes shut. |
| Bion. iii. |
| 9126 |
| Once when Bion was at sea in the company of some wicked men, he fell into the hands of pirates; and when the rest said, “We are undone if we are known,”—“But I,” said he, “am undone if we are not known.” |
| Bion. iii. |
| 9127 |
| Of a rich man who was niggardly he said, “That man does not own his estate, but his estate owns him.” |
| Bion. iii. |
| 9128 |
| Bion insisted on the principle that “The property of friends is common.” 1 |
| Bion. ix. |
| 9129 |
| Very late in life, when he was studying geometry, some one said to Lacydes, “Is it then a time for you to be learning now?” “If it is not,” he replied, “when will it be?” |
| Lacydes. v. |
| 9130 |
| Aristotle was once asked what those who tell lies gain by it. Said he, “That when they speak truth they are not believed.” |
| Aristotle. xi. |
| 9131 |
| The question was put to him, what hope is; and his answer was, “The dream of a waking man.” 2 |
| Aristotle. xi. |
| 9132 |
| He used to say that personal beauty was a better introduction than any letter; 3 but others say that it was Diogenes who gave this description of it, while Aristotle called beauty “the gift of God;” that Socrates called it “a short-lived tyranny;” Theophrastus, “a silent deceit;” Theocritus, “an ivory mischief;” Carneades, “a sovereignty which stood in need of no guards.” |
| Aristotle. xi. |
| Note 1. All things are in common among friends.—Diogenes (page 763). [back] |
| Note 2. See Prior, Quotation 17. [back] |
| Note 3. See Publius Syrus, Quotation 23. [back] |