This last opinion of Aristippus deserves particular attention, because it is attested by Aristotle. And it confirms what we hear upon less certain testimony, that Aristippus discountenanced the department of physical study generally (astronomy and physics) as well as geometry; confining his attention to facts and reasonings which bore upon the regulation of life.[200] In this restrictive view he followed the example and precepts of Sokrates--of Isokrates--seemingly also of Protagoras and Prodikus though not of the Eleian Hippias, whose course of study was larger and more varied.[201] Aristippus taught as a Sophist, and appears to have acquired great reputation in that capacity both at Athens and elsewhere.[202] Indeed, if he had not acquired such intellectual and literary reputation at Athens, he would have had little chance of being invited elsewhere, and still less chance of receiving favours and presents from Dionysius and other princes:[203] whose attentions did not confer celebrity, but waited upon it when obtained, and doubtless augmented it. If Aristippus lived a life of indulgence at Athens, we may fairly presume that his main resources for sustaining it, like those of Isokrates, were derived from his own teaching: and that the presents which he received from Dionysius of Syracuse, like those which Isokrates received from Nikokles of Cyprus, were welcome additions, but not his main income. Those who (like most of the historians of philosophy) adopt the opinion of Sokrates and Plato, that it is disgraceful for an instructor to receive payment from the persons taught will doubtless despise Aristippus for such a proceeding: for my part I dissent from this opinion, and I therefore do not concur in the disparaging epithets bestowed upon him. And as for the costly indulgences, and subservience to foreign princes, of which Aristippus stands accused, we must recollect that the very same reproaches were advanced against Plato and Aristotle by their contemporaries: and as far as we know, with quite as much foundation.[204] [Footnote 200: Diog. L. ii. 92. Sext. Emp. adv. Math. vii. 11. Plutarch, apud Eusebium Præp. Ev. i. 8, 9.] [Footnote 201: Plato, Protagor. p. 318 E, where the different methods followed by Protagoras and Hippias are indicated.] [Footnote 202: Diog. Laert. ii. 62. Alexis Comicus ap. Athenæ. xii. 544. Aristokles (ap. Euseb. Præp. Ev. xiv. 18) treats the first Aristippus as a mere voluptuary, who said nothing generally [Greek: peri\ tou= te/lous]. All the doctrine (he says) came from the younger Aristippus. I think this very improbable. To what did the dialogues composed by the first Aristippus refer? How did he get his reputation?] [Footnote 203: Several anecdotes are recounted about sayings and doings of Aristippus in his intercourse with _Dionysius_. _Which_ Dionysius is meant?--the elder or the younger? Probably the elder.