The name of Pittacus was known all over the world. He was a brave soldier and a wise teacher. The people of his country had made him their king; but as soon as he had made good laws for them he gave up his crown. One of his mottoes was this: "Whatever you do, do it well." The messengers found him in his house talking to his friends and teaching them wisdom. He looked at the tripod. "How beautiful it is!" he said. Then the messengers told him how it had been taken from the sea, and they repeated the words of the oracle:-- "Give not the merchant nor the fishermen the prize; But give it to that one who is wisest of the wise." "It is well," said he, "that neither a merchant nor a fisherman shall have it; for such men think only of their business and care really nothing for beauty." "We agree with you," said the messengers; "and we present the prize to you because you are the wisest of the wise." "You are mistaken," answered Pittacus. "I should be delighted to own so beautiful a piece of workmanship, but I know I am not worthy." "Then to whom shall we take it?" asked the messengers. "Take it to Cleobulus, [Footnote: Cle o bu'lus.] King of Rhodes, [Footnote: Rhodes (_pro_. rodes).]" answered the wise man. "He is the handsomest and strongest of men, and I believe he is the wisest also." IV The messengers went on until they came at last to the island of Rhodes. There everybody was talking about King Cleobulus and his wonderful wisdom. He had studied in all the great schools of the world, and there was nothing that he did not know. "Educate the children," he said; and for that reason his name is remembered to this day. When the messengers showed him the tripod, he said, "That is indeed a beautiful piece of work. Will you sell it? What is the price?" They told him that it was not for sale, but that it was to be given to the wisest of the wise. "Well, you will not find that man in Rhodes," said he. "He lives in Corinth, [Footnote: Cor'inth.] and his name is Periander. [Footnote: Per i an'der.] Carry the precious gift to him." V Everybody had heard of Periander, king of Corinth. Some had heard of his great learning, and others had heard of his selfishness and cruelty. Strangers admired him for his wisdom. His own people despised him for his wickedness. When he heard that some men had come to Corinth with a very costly golden tripod, he had them brought before him. "I have heard all about that tripod," he said, "and I know why you are carrying it from one place to another. Do you expect to find any man in Corinth who deserves so rich a gift?" "We hope that you are the man," said the messengers.