Then he raises this question: supposing a man had to throw part of his cargo overboard in a storm, should he prefer to sacrifice a high-priced horse or a cheap and worthless slave? In this case regard for his property interest inclines him one way, human feeling the other. "Suppose that a foolish man has seized hold of a plank from a sinking ship, shall a wise man wrest it away from him if he can?" "No," says Hecaton; "for that would be unjust." "But how about the owner of the ship? Shall he take the plank away because it belongs to him?" "Not at all; no more than he would be willing when far out at sea to throw a passenger overboard on the ground that the ship was his. For until they reach the place for which the ship is chartered, she belongs to the passengers, not to the owner." *90* "Again; suppose there were two to be saved from the sinking ship--both of them wise men--and only one small plank, should both seize it to save themselves? Or should one give place to the other?" "Why of course, one should give place to the other, but that other must be the one whose life is more valuable either for his own sake or for that of his country." "But what if these considerations are of equal weight in both?" "Then there will be no contest, but one will give place to the other, as if the point were decided by lot or at a game of odd and even." "Again, suppose a father were robbing temples or making underground passages to the treasury, should a son inform the officers of it?" "Nay; that were a crime; rather should he defend his father, in case he were indicted." "Well, then, are not the claims of country paramount to all other duties?" "Aye, verily; but it is to our country's interest to have citizens who are loyal to their parents." "But once more--if the father attempts to make himself king, or to betray his country, shall the son hold his peace?" "Nay, verily; he will plead with his father not to do so. If that accomplishes nothing, he will take him to task; he will even threaten; and in the end, if things point to the destruction of the state, he will sacrifice his father to the safety of his country." #A similar debate by Diogenes _vs._ Antipater.# *91* Again, he raises the question: "If a wise man should inadvertently accept counterfeit money for good, will he offer it as genuine in payment of a debt after he discovers his mistake?" Diogenes says "Yes"; Antipater, "No," and I agree with him.