Philosophies for Sale (24-25)

Then we are to say the same of the fees that you get for your wisdom from young men, and obviously none but the scholar will get paid for his virtue?

Your understanding of the matter is correct. You see, I donot take pay on my own account, but for the sake of the giver himself: for since there are two classes of men, the disbursive and the receptive, I train myself to be receptive and my pupil to be disbursive.

On the contrary, the young man ought to be receptive and you, who alone are rich, disbursive!

You are joking, man. Look out that I don’t shoot you with my indemonstrable syllogism.[*]

What have I to fear from that shaft?

Perplexity and aphasia and a sprained intellect.

But the great thing is that if I wish I can turn you into a stone forthwith.

How will you turn me into a stone? You are not a Perseus, I think, my dear fellow.

In this way. Isa stone a substance?

Yes.

And how about this—is not an animal a substance?

Yes.

And you are an animal?

So it appears, anyhow.

Then you are a substance, and therefore a stone!

Don’t say that! Distribute my middle, for Heaven’s sake, and make me a man again.

That is not difficult. Be a man once more!—Tell me, is every substance an animal?

No.

Well, is a stone an animal?

No.

You are a substance?

Yes.

But even if you are a substance, you are an animal.

Yes.

Then you are not a stone, being an animal.

Thank you kindly; my legs were already as cold and solid as Niobe’s. Iwill buy you. (Zo uunmes.) How much have I to pay for him?

Twelve minas.

Here you are.

Are you the sole purchaser?

No, indeed; there are all these men whom you see.

Yes, there are many of them, heavy-shouldered fellows, fit associates for the Reaper.