natural affection; that they be examples of temperance in their own families, and to the city; that in courts of judicature none attest God by an oath, but use themselves so to speak as they may be believed without an oath: that the discourse of that philosopher is vain, by which no passion of a man is healed; for as there is no benefit of medicine if it expel not diseases out of bodies, so neither of philosophy if it expel not evil out of the soul." III. Solon, esteemed as Thales, one of the seven sages of Greece, a noble philosopher, and a lawgiver to the Athenians, was so humble that he refused to be prince of that people, and voluntarily banished himself when Pisastratus usurped the government there;[5] resolving never to outlive the laws and freedom of his country. He would say, that to make a government last the magistrates must obey the laws, and the people the magistrates. It was his judgment, that riches brought luxury, and luxury brought tyranny. Being asked by Croesus, king of Lydia, when seated on his throne richly clothed and magnificently attended, if he had ever seen anything more glorious; he answered, cocks, peacocks, and pheasants; by how much their beauty is natural. These undervaluing expressions of wise Solon, meeting so pat upon the pride and luxury of Croesus, they parted; the one desirous of toys and vanities, the other an example and instructor of true nobility and virtue, that contemned the king's effeminacy. Another time Croesus asked him who was the happiest man in the world; expecting he would have said Croesus,[6] because the most famous for wealth in those parts: he answered, "Tellus, who, though poor, yet was an honest and good man, and contented with what he had: who, after he had served the commonwealth faithfully, and seen his children and grandchildren virtuously educated, died for his country in a good old age, and was carried by his children to his grave." This much displeased Croesus, but he dissembled it. Whilst Solon recommended the happiness of Tellus, Croesus, moved, demanded to whom he assigned the next place; making no question but himself should be named, "Cleobis," saith he, "and Bito, brethren that loved well, had a competency, were of great health and strength; most tender and obedient to their mother, religious of life, who after sacrificing in the temple fell asleep and waked no more." Hereat Croesus growing angry, "Strange!" saith he, "doth our happiness seem so despicable that thou wilt not rank us equal with private persons?" Solon answered, "Dost thou inquire of us about human affairs? Knowest thou not that Divine Providence is severe, and often full of alteration? Do not we in process of time see many things we would not? Aye, and suffer many things we would not? Count man's life at seventy years, which makes[7] twenty-six thousand two hundred and fifty and odd days, there is scarcely one day like another: so that every one, O Croesus! is attended with crosses.