Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 3 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"Plutarch
Philosophy
Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 3 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"
Plutarch
Classical literature; Essays; Ethics; Philosophy
7. When certain Egyptians, not enduring the anger and hard usage of
their king, went to dwell in Ethiopia, and some earnestly entreated
them to return to their wives and children they had left behind them,
they very impudently showed them their privy parts, saying they should
never want wives or children whilst they carried those about them.
But it is more grave and becoming to say that whosoever happens to be
provided with a competency of the necessaries to life, wheresoever
he is, is not without a city or a dwelling, nor need reckon himself
a stranger there; only he ought to have besides these prudence and
consideration, like a governing anchor, that he may be able to make
advantage of any port at which he arrives. It is not easy indeed for
him that has lost his wealth quickly to gather it up again; but every
city becomes presently that man’s country who has the skill to use it,
and who has those roots which can live and thrive, cling and grow to
every place. Such had Themistocles, and such had Demetrius Phalareus;
for this last named, after his banishment, being the prime friend
of King Ptolemy in Alexandria, not only was abundantly provided for
himself, but also sent presents to the Athenians. As for Themistocles,
he was maintained by an allowance suitable to his quality at the King’s
charge, and is reported to have said to his wife and children, We had
been undone, if we had not been undone. Diogenes the Cynic also, when
one told him, The Sinopians have condemned thee to fly from Pontus,
replied, And I have condemned them to stay in Pontus,
Close prisoners there to be,
At th’ utmost shore of the fierce Euxine Sea.[10]
Stratonicus enquiring of his host in the isle of Seriphus what crime
among them was punished with banishment, and being told forgery was so
punished, he asked him why he did not commit that crime that he might
be removed out of that strait place; and yet there, as the comedian
expresses it, they reap down their figs with slings, and that island is
provided with all things that it wants.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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