15. He therefore is ridiculous that looks upon it as an ignominious thing to be banished. For what is it that thou sayest? Was Diogenes ignominious, when Alexander, who saw him sitting and sunning himself, came and asked him whether he wanted any thing, and he answered him, that he lacked nothing but that he would go a little aside and not stand in his light? The king, admiring the presence of his mind, turned to his followers and said: If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes. Was Camillus inglorious because he was expelled Rome, considering he has got the reputation of being its second founder? Neither did Themistocles by his banishment lose any of the renown he had gained in Greece, but added to it that which he had acquired among the barbarians; neither is there any so without all sense of honor, or of such an abject mind, that had not rather be Themistocles the banished, than Leobates that indicted him; or be Cicero that had the same fate, than Clodius that expelled him Rome; or be Timotheus that abandoned his country, than Aristophon that was his accuser. 16. But because the words of Euripides move many, who seems to frame a heavy charge against banishment and to urge it home, let us see what he says more particularly in his questions and answers about it. JOCASTA. But is’t so sad one’s country to forego, And live in exile? Pray, son, let me know. POL. Some ills when told are great, when tried are less; But this is saddest felt, though sad t’ express. JOC. What is’t, I pray, afflicts the banished most? POL. That liberty to speak one’s mind is lost. JOC. He is indeed a slave that dares not utter His thoughts, nor ’gainst his cruel masters mutter. POL. But all their insolencies must o’erpass, And bear their follies tamely like an ass.[15] These assertions of his are neither good nor true. For first, not to speak what one thinks is not a piece of slavery; but it is the part of a prudent man to hold one’s peace and be silent when time and the circumstances of affairs require it; as he himself says better elsewhere, that a wise man knows Both when it’s best no tongue to find, And when it’s safe to speak his mind.