III. It is said that he was very energetic and eloquent when pleading causes; but that he always reserved his talents for the right side. In reference to which Demodicus of Alerius uttered the following enigmatical saying—“If you are a judge, give a Prienian decision.” And Hipponax says, “More excellent in his decisions than Bias of Priene.” Now he died in this manner:— IV. Having pleaded a cause for some one when he was exceedingly old, after he had finished speaking, he leaned back with his head on the bosom of his daughter’s son; and after the advocate on the opposite side had spoken, and the judges had given their decision in favour of Bias’s client, when the court broke up he was found dead on his grandson’s bosom. And the city buried him in the greatest magnificence, and put over him this inscription— Beneath this stone lies Bias, who was born In the illustrious Prienian land, The glory of the whole Ionian race. And we ourselves have also written an epigram on him— Here Bias lies, whom, when the hoary snow Had crowned his aged temples, Mercury Unpitying led to Pluto’s darken’d realms. He pleaded his friend’s cause, and then reclin’d In his child’s arms, repos’d in lasting sleep. V. He also wrote about two thousand verses on Ionia, to show in what matter a man might best arrive at happiness; and of all his poetical sayings these have the greatest reputation:— Seek to please all the citizens, even though Your house may be in an ungracious city. For such a course will favour win from all: But haughty manners oft produce destruction. And this one too:— Great strength of body is the gift of nature; But to be able to advise whate’er Is most expedient for one’s country’s good, Is the peculiar work of sense and wisdom. Another is:— Great riches come to many men by chance.