BUYER

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?

STOIC

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.

BUYER

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

STOIC

You are joking, man. Look out that I don’t shoot you with my indemonstrable syllogism.Indemonstrable in the sense that its propositions do not require demonstration, or indeed admit of it.

BUYER

What have I to fear from that shaft?

STOIC

Perplexity and aphasia and a sprained intellect.

STOIC

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

BUYER

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

STOIC

In this way. Isa stone a substance?

BUYER

Yes.

STOIC

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

BUYER

Yes.

STOIC

And you are an animal?

BUYER

So it appears, anyhow.

STOIC

Then you are a substance, and therefore a stone!

BUYER

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

STOIC

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

BUYER

No.

STOIC

Well, is a stone an animal?

BUYER

No.

STOIC

You are a substance?

BUYER

Yes.

STOIC

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

BUYER

Yes.

STOIC

Then you are not a stone, being an animal.

BUYER

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?

HERMES

Twelve minas.

BUYER

Here you are.

HERMES

Are you the sole purchaser?

BUYER

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

HERMES

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