The Sale of Lives (18-19)

A fine reward! And what is the substance of your philosophy?

The ideas and the types of existing things; for, indeed, everything that you see-the earth and all upon it, the sky, the sea-all these things have invisible images outside the universe.

Where are they?

Nowhere; for if they were anywhere they could not be.

I don't see these types you speak of.

Naturally; for your soul's eye is blind.

Then you will do to buy, for you are wise and have good eyes. Come, Hermes, how much will you charge me for him?

Two thousand dollars.

I take him at the price. However, I will pay you later.

What is your name?

Dion of Syracuse.

Take him, with my best wishes. Next I call you, the Epicurean. Who will buy this one? He is the pupil of that laugher and of the drunkard whom I offered a little while ago. But he has made one step in advance of them, inasmuch as he has less regard for holy things. For the rest, he is pleasant and the friend of good living.

What's the price?

Forty dollars.

Here you are. But tell me what sort of food he likes.

He lives on sweet things like honey, and particularly figs.

That is easy enough. I will buy him penny-loaves of fig-cake.