The Fisher (41-45)

Platonists first!

No, no; Pythagoreans first; our master is senior.

Rubbish! the Porch is the best.

Now, now, this is a question of money; Peripatetics first there!

Hand over those cakes and fig-squares; as to the money, Epicureans will not mind waiting till the last.

Where are the two talents? none can touch the Academy at a wrangle; we will soon show you that.

Not if we know it.

Cease your strife. Cynics there, no more pushing! and keep those sticks quiet. You have mistaken the nature of this summons. We three, Philosophy, Virtue, and Truth, are about to decide which are the true philosophers; that done, those whose lives are found to be in accord with our pleasure will be made happy by our award; but the impostors who are not truly of our kin we shall crush as they deserve, that they may no more make vain claims to what is too high for them.

Attendants, pick up the wallet which yonder flying Cynic has dropped. Let us see what it contains—beans? a book? some coarse crust?

Ohdear no. Here is gold; some scent; a mirror; dice.

Ah, good honest man! such were his little necessaries for the philosophic life, such his title to indulge in general abuse and instruct his neighbours.

There you have them. The problem before you is, how the general ignorance is to be dispersed, and other people enabled to discriminate between the genuine and the other sort. Find the solution, Truth; for indeed it concerns you; Falsehood must not prevail; shall Ignorance shield the base while they counterfeit the good, and you never know it?