DIOGENES LAERTIUS

what he must do to be a good and noble man, he said, "If you learn from those who know that the evils you have are to be avoided." To someone who praised luxury, he said, "May the children of your enemies live in luxury."

9 To the youth posing as an artist's model, he said, "Tell me, if the bronze could receive a voice, on what do you think it would pride itself?" When the youth said, "On its beauty," he replied, "Are you not ashamed, then, to rejoice in the same things as an inanimate object?" When a young man from Pontus promised to treat him well if his boat of salt fish arrived, he took him and an empty sack to a flour merchant, filled it, and went away. When she asked for the money, he said, "The young man will pay if his boat of salt fish arrives."

10 He himself is thought to have been the cause of Anytus's exile and Meletus's death. For, having met some young men from Pontus who had come to Athens because of the fame of Socrates, he led them to Anytus, claiming in his character that he was wiser than Socrates; the bystanders were so indignant that they drove him away. If he ever saw a woman decked out with ornaments, he would go to her house and order the husband to bring out his horse and arms, so that if he had these, he could afford to indulge in luxury, for he could defend himself with these; but if not, he should strip off the finery.

He also favored these ideas. He proved that virtue can be taught...