PLUTARCH. in the Life of MARCELLUS.

Page 307.

Yet Archimedes possessed such a spirit, such depth of intellect, and such wealth of learning, that though through these he had gained for himself a name and reputation not for human, but for divine knowledge, he deigned to leave behind no written commentary on them. Indeed, he deemed that industry in preparing machines, and any art applied to use and utility, to be base and sordid; he placed his interest only in those things which are excellent and extraordinary in themselves, and not tied to any necessity. These are not to be compared with others, for they offer a contest between the subject matter and the demonstration, where the former excels in mass and appearance, but the latter in certainty and incredible power. Nor will you find in geometry more complicated or convoluted problems written out in simpler or clearer elements. Some attribute this to the dexterity of his genius; others think it should rather be referred to his indefatigable labor, by which it is likely he was able to accomplish anything easily and without sweat. For if you were to inquire, you might not find the demonstration of his problems by yourself; but once you have learned it, you would think you could have discovered it even of your own accord, so paved and ready is the path that leads to what he intends to demonstrate. Therefore, the stories told about him are not to be rejected: that he was constantly beguiled by a certain familiar Siren, his own geometry, to the point that he would forget to eat and neglect the care of his body; and that when he was dragged away unwillingly to be anointed and to bathe, he would trace geometric figures in the ashes of the hearth; and while being anointed, he would draw lines with his finger, so captivated and truly inflamed was he by the sweetness of the art. When he had discovered many excellent things, he is said to have requested of his friends and relatives that, after his death, they place upon his tomb a cylinder enclosing a sphere, and inscribe the ratio by which the containing solid exceeds the contained. And such a man was Archimedes, who, as far as it lay within him, kept both himself and his city unconquered.