Book viii
. Question ix._
Why does pouring oil on the sea make it clear and calm? Is it for that the winds, slipping the smooth oil, have no force, nor cause any waves?[740-1]
The great god Pan is dead.[740-2]
_Why the Oracles cease to give Answers._
I am whatever was, or is, or will be; and my veil no mortal ever took up.[740-3]
_Of Isis and Osiris._
When Hermodotus in his poems described Antigonus as the son of Helios, "My valet-de-chambre," said he, "is not aware of this."[740-4]
_Of Isis and Osiris._
There is no debt with so much prejudice put off as that of justice.
_Of those whom God is slow to punish._
It is a difficult thing for a man to resist the natural necessity of mortal passions.
_Of those whom God is slow to punish._
He is a fool who lets slip a bird in the hand for a bird in the bush.[740-5]
_Of Garrulity._
We are more sensible of what is done against custom than against Nature.
_Of Eating of Flesh. Tract 1._
When Demosthenes was asked what was the first part of oratory, he answered, "Action;" and which was the second, he replied, "Action;" and which was the third, he still answered, "Action."
_Lives of the Ten Orators._
Xenophon says that there is no sound more pleasing than one's own praises.
_Whether an Aged Man ought to meddle in State Affairs._
Lampis, the sea commander, being asked how he got his wealth, answered, "My greatest estate I gained easily enough, but the smaller slowly and with much labour."
_Whether an Aged Man ought to meddle in State Affairs._
The general himself ought to be such a one as can at the same time see both forward and backward.
_Whether an Aged Man ought to meddle in State Affairs._
Statesmen are not only liable to give an account of what they say or do in public, but there is a busy inquiry made into their very meals, beds, marriages, and every other sportive or serious
## action.
_Political Precepts._
Leo Byzantius said, "What would you do, if you saw my wife, who scarce reaches up to my knees? . . . Yet," went he on, "as little as we are, when we fall out with each other, the city of Byzantium is not big enough to hold us."
_Political Precepts._
Cato said, "I had rather men should ask why my statue is not set up, than why it is."
_Political Precepts._
It was the saying of Bion, that though the boys throw stones at frogs in sport, yet the frogs do not die in sport but in earnest.[741-1]
_Which are the most crafty, Water or Land Animals? 7._
Both Empedocles and Heraclitus held it for a truth that man could not be altogether cleared from injustice in dealing with beasts as he now does.
_Which are the most crafty, Water or Land Animals? 7._
For to err in opinion, though it be not the part of wise men, is at least human.[742-1]
_Against Colotes._
Simonides calls painting silent poetry, and poetry speaking painting.
_Whether the Athenians were more Warlike or Learned. 3._
As Meander says, "For our mind is God;" and as Heraclitus, "Man's genius is a deity."
_Platonic Questions. i._
Pythagoras, when he was asked what time was, answered that it was the soul of this world.
_Platonic Questions. viii. 4._
FOOTNOTES:
[722-5] See Swift, page 289.
[723-1] "Strike," said he, "but hear me."--_Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders._ (_Themistocles._)
[723-2] Diophantus, the young son of Themistocles, made his boast often and in many companies, that whatsoever pleased him pleased also all Athens; for whatever he liked, his mother liked; and whatever his mother liked, Themistocles liked; and whatever Themistocles liked, all the Athenians liked.--_Of the Training of Children._
When the son of Themistocles was a little saucy toward his mother, he said that this boy had more power than all the Grecians; for the Athenians governed Greece, he the Athenians, his wife him, and his son his wife.--_Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders._ (_Themistocles._)
[723-3] An obscure island.
[723-4] Themistocles said speech was like to tapestry; and like it, when it was spread it showed its figures, but when it was folded up, hid and spoiled them.--_Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders._ (_Themistocles._)
[724-1] See Chaucer, page 3.
[725-1] The pilot telling Antigonus the enemy outnumbered him in ships, he said, "But how many ships do you reckon my presence to be worth?" _Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders._ (_Antigonus II._)
[725-2] The belly has no ears, nor is it to be filled with fair words.--RABELAIS: _book iv. chap. lxvii._
[725-3] See Bacon, page 165.
[725-4] This has been observed in modern times, and attributed to the effect of gunpowder.
[725-5] Or cheat against cheat. The Cretans were famous as liars.
[726-1] 'T is one and the same Nature that rolls on her course, and whoever has sufficiently considered the present state of things might certainly conclude as to both the future and the past.--MONTAIGNE: _Essays,