Page 948

Diogenes Laërtius. (fl. early 3d cent.) (continued)

9133

On one occasion Aristotle was asked how much educated men were superior to those uneducated: “As much,” said he, “as the living are to the dead.” 1

Aristotle. xi.

9134

It was a saying of his that education was an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity.

Aristotle. xi.

9135

He was once asked what a friend is, and his answer was, “One soul abiding in two bodies.” 2

Aristotle. xi.

9136

Asked what he gained from philosophy, he answered, “To do without being commanded what others do from fear of the laws.”

Aristotle. xi.

9137

The question was once put to him, how we ought to behave to our friends; and the answer he gave was, “As we should wish our friends to behave to us.”

Aristotle. xi.

9138

He used to define justice as “a virtue of the soul distributing that which each person deserved.”

Aristotle. xi.

9139

Another of his sayings was, that education was the best viaticum of old age.

Aristotle. xi.

9140

The chief good he has defined to be the exercise of virtue in a perfect life.

Aristotle. xiii.

9141

He used to teach that God is incorporeal, as Plato also asserted, and that his providence extends over all the heavenly bodies.

Aristotle. xiii.

9142

It was a favourite expression of Theophrastus that time was the most valuable thing that a man could spend. 3

Theophrastus. x.

9143

Antisthenes used to say that envious people were devoured by their own disposition, just as iron is by rust.

Antisthenes. iv.

Note 1.
Quoted with great warmth by Dr. Johnson (Boswell).—Langton: Collectanea. [back]

Note 2.
See Pope, Quotation 306. [back]

Note 3.
See Franklin, Quotation 16. [back]