The Sale of Lives (24-25)

Buyer And must we say the same of the fees you take for imparting your wisdom to young men? Is it clear that the good man alone will make money out of his virtue?

Chrysippos You grasp the idea. It is not on my own account that I take fees, but for the good of the giver himself. For since one party in a transaction must give and the other receive, I train myself to receive and my pupil to give.

Buyer It ought to be the other way about. The young man ought to receive, and you, who alone are rich, to give out.

Chrysippos You are chaffing, fellow; but be careful lest I let fly at you with the apodeiktic syllogism.

Buyer What are the frightful effects of the weapon?

Chrysippos Embarrassment, silence, confusion of mind.

If you like, I will give you an extreme example, and prove in a twinkling that you are a stone.

Buyer How a stone? You do not look to me like Perseus with the Gorgon's head, my friend.

Chrysippos This is the way. Is the stone a body?

Buyer Yes.

Chrysippos Well, is not a living creature a body?

Buyer Yes.

Chrysippos But you are a living creature?

Buyer Certainly, I have that appearance.

Chrysippos Then you are a stone, for you are a body.

Buyer Heaven forbid! In Zeus' name, release me and make me a man again!

Chrysippos That is easy; be a man once more. For, tell me, is every body a living creature?

Buyer No.

Chrysippos Well, is a stone a living creature?

Buyer No.

Chrysippos But you are a body?

Buyer Yes.

Chrysippos And being a body you are a living creature?

Buyer Yes.

Chrysippos Then you are not a stone, because you are a living creature.

Buyer Thank you. My legs were getting lifeless already and stiff, like Niobe's. But I am certainly going to buy you. What is his price?

Hermes Two hundred and forty dollars.

Buyer Here it is.

Hermes Are you the sole purchaser ?

Buyer Dear me, no. All these people are with me.

Hermes There are plenty of them, and strong in the shoulder. They are fit for "the Mower."