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
said he, looking upon Theo, can you answer this complaint concerning
Phryne, for being placed in so much state above her quality?
15. In the same manner, and as easily, replied Serapio, as I may
charge and accuse yourself for reproaching the slightest faults among
the Greeks. For as Socrates reprehended Callias for being always at
enmity with perfumes and precious odors, while yet he could endure to
see boys and girls dance and tumble together, and to be a spectator of
the lascivious gestures of wanton mummers and merry-andrews; so, in my
opinion, it is with you that envy the standing of a woman’s statue in
the temple, because she made ill use of her beauty. Yet, though you
see Apollo surrounded with the first-fruits and tenths of murders,
wars, and plunder, and all the temple full of spoils and pillage
taken from the Greeks, these things never move your indignation;
you never commiserate your countrymen, when you read engraved upon
these gaudy donatives such doleful inscriptions as these,—Brasidas
and the Acanthians dedicate these spoils taken from Athenians,—the
Athenians these from the Corinthians,—the Phocians these from the
Thessalians,—the Orneatae these from the Sicyonians,—the Amphictyons
these from the Phocians. Now if it is true that Praxiteles offended
Crates by erecting a statue in honor of his mistress, in my opinion
Crates rather ought to have commended him for placing among the golden
monuments of kings and princes the statue of a courtesan, thereby
showing a contempt and scorn of riches, to which there is nothing
of grandeur or veneration due; for it becomes princes and kings to
consecrate to the God the lasting monuments of justice, temperance,
magnanimity, not of golden and superfluous opulency, which are as
frequently erected to the most flagitious of men.
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