CALLIMACHUS.-CRATES.-CRATINUS.-DEMOSTHENES. BEAUTY AND GRACE. Beauty is good for women, firmness for men. CALLIMACHUS. FLOURISHED FROM B.C. 260 TO B.C. 240. CALLIMACHUS was a member of the powerful house at Cyrene, named from its founder Battus, the Battiada. Born probably at Cyrene, he was a pupil of the grammarian Hermocrates, and flourished in the reign of Ptolemy Philadelphus, dying in that of Euergites, his son and successor. He was chief librarian of the celebrated library at Alexandria, being contemporary of Theocritus and Aratus. Callimachi quæ supersunt recensuit et rum notarum delectu, edidit C. J. Blomfield, Londini, 1815. "LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, YE GATES." Now ye bolts of your own accord fall back, and ye bars, for the god is at hand. So Isaiah (vi. 4)—" And the posts of the door moved at the moice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke." And Psalm (xxiv. 7)" Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be 339 Demosthenes, the most celebrated of the Greek orators, was a native of Athens, being the son of Demosthenes and of Cleobulë, who was of Scythian extraction. His father died when he was only seven years of age, and left to him a considerable property, which he had amassed by the manufacture of warlike implements. He tell us (Demosth. Cor. 312-22) that his education was such as his fort e lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall une entitled him to; though Plutarch states that come in." THE GOOD SHALL SEE GOD. Apollo is seen by none except the just; whoso ets him, great is he; little is the man who hath lot seen him. it was much neglected through the foolish indul- So Matthew (v. 8)—" Blessed are the pure in heart, for they self to the study of eloquence by listening to the ball see God." 66 HEALING IN HIS WINGS." speech of Callistratus in defence of the city Oropus, The tresses of Apollo drop not mere oil, but heal- though Isocrates was at this time the most eminent So Malachi (iv. 2)—“But unto you that fear my name shall CRATES. FLOURISHED ABOUT B.C. 450. in his profession. His first attempt was in the CRATES, a comic poet of Athens, of the old com-repeatedly laughed at; but, by unflinching per- TIME. severance, he completely got the better of all his For time has bent me, a wise workman no doubt, scendants of Harmodius and Aristogeiton, to be CRATINUS. BORN B.C. 519-DIED B.C. 422. CRATINUS, one of the most celebrated of the thenian poets belonging to the old comedy, was he son of Callimedes. He was born B.C. 519, beg six years younger than Eschylus, and died at e age of ninety-seven, B.C. 422 (Lucian. Macrob. exempted from certain magistracies which entailed THE ACTIVE AND INTREPID CONTRASTED WITH THE SLUGGISH. The dominions of the absent belong naturally to those in the field; the property of the lazy and inactive to those who are willing to undergo labor and danger. MEN WILLING TO UNITE THEMSELVES WITH THE BRAVE. For all are willing to unite and to take part with those whom they see ready and willing to put forth their strength as they ought. liarly for the part of an accuser; and it has been | sation with much vehemence, he was found guilty, accordingly remarked that, of the numerous and fined fifty talents. He escaped the payment speeches that have come down to us, scarcely any of this fine by retiring to the island Ægina, B.C. of them are written for the defendant. In the year 325; but he does not appear to have endured his B.C. 353 he delivered his speech in favor of Mega- banishment with the equanimity worthy of his lopolis, a colony protected by the Thebans, but character and high name. On the death of Alexwhich the Spartans, the allies of Athens, wished to ander he was recalled, and proceeded to organize destroy. It is one of the most striking examples a new league of opposition to the Macedonian not so much of his eloquence as of his art, in which power. Antipater, however, soon put an end to it, he did not less excel. The great leading idea and the death of Demosthenes was pronounced by which seems, from the moment he entered public his own citizens at the instance of Demades. Delife, to have directed his whole conduct, was op-mosthenes, with some of his friends who were inposition to Philip and his objects of aggrandize- volved in the same sentence, escaped from Athens ment. Eleven speeches, delivered within the space by the connivance even of his enemies, and he took of fifteen years, under the name of "Philippics refuge in the small island of Calauria in the temand "Olynthiacs," show the unwearied spirit with ple of Neptune. He was followed by some of the which he maintained what he considered to be the friends of Antipater, and, as he saw no means of interest of his country. He was one of the ambas- escape, he placed a poisoned pen in his mouth, sadors who proceeded to Macedon to negotiate a and died a short time afterwards. peace with Philip; and he was so dissatisfied with the conduct of his colleague, Eschines, that he brought the matter B.C. 343, before the people in one of his most able and powerful speeches. Æschines defended himself with equal ability, and was so ably supported by the party of Eubulus, that he was acquitted. The battle of Charonea followed soon afterwards, B.C. 338, which placed Greece at the mercy of Philip; but though the orator had not distinguished himself by his bravery in the field, he did not despair of the cause of his country. Philip fell by the dagger of an assassin, B.C. 336, and Demosthenes again conceived hopes of the entire independence of his country. The destruction, however, of Thebes by Alexander soon dispelled that illusion, and he found himself one of those ten orators whom that prince required the Athenians to deliver up to him. This demand Athens would have found no means of resisting, if Demades, the friend of Alexander, had not succeeded in procuring its remission. During this period of Grecian servitude the energies of Demosthenes were called forth in his own defence. Even after the fatal battle of Charonëa the war party at Athens still continued powerful, and it was no doubt of importance to them that they should show it to the public by some decisive act. With this view Ctesiphon, one of the party, pro- DISTRUST OF DESPOTS THE GREATEST SECURITY posed the decree for crowning Demosthenes on account of his services; but as these had reference Various are the devices for the defence and chiefly to the late unsuccessful war, in was in fact security of cities, as palisades, walls, ditches, and an approval of all that had been done. This was other such kinds of fortification, all which are the felt by Eschines, who was at the head of the op- result of the labors of the hand, and maintained at posite party, and finding that the law had not been great expense. But there is one common bulwark, observed in every particular, he took advantage of which men of prudence possess within themselves this circumstance to bring the matter before the—the protection and guard of all people, especially people; but though the suit was commenced of free states, against the attacks of tyrants. against Ctesiphon the same year, it was not till What is this? Distrust. B.C. 330 that it was tried. It was then that Demosthenes made that celebrated speech, περὶ Στεφάνου, which is considered as one of his finest specimens of eloquence. Eschines failed in proving his case, and as a heavy fine would have been the consequence, he preferred to leave his country. When Harpalus fled to Athens with the treasures of Alexander, Demosthenes was accused of accepting a bribe from him, and though he denied the accu CURIOSITY OF THE ATHENIANS. Or is it your greatest pleasure, tell me, wandering through the public squares to inquire of each other, "What news?" So Acts (xvii. 21)-"For all the Athenians, and strangers which were there, spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing." ALLIANCES WITH DESPOTS DANGEROUS TO FREE STATES. For those close and intimate alliances with despots are never safe to free states. OF FREE STATES. A TYRANT. For every king and tyrant is an enemy to freedom, and an opposer of equal laws. THE ADVANTAGES OF SOCIETY SHOULD BE SHARED BY ALL ITS MEMBERS. For, Athenians, all ranks of citizens should have an equal share in the advantages of society: the rich ought to feel secure, and have no dread of the confiscation of their property, thus being willing and ready to contribute of their wealth to the defence of their country; the rest of the citizens should look upon public property to belong to all, and be satisfied with their just share, but all private fortunes as the inalienable right of the possessors. Thus a small state may expect to rise to eminence, and a great one to maintain its high place in the world. THE BOND THAT UNITES CONFEDERATE POWERS. For I am well convinced that, when confederate powers are united by affection and identical interests, their agreement may be expected to last; whereas, if the alliance has been formed to carry out fraudulent and rapacious objects, accompanied by deceit and violence (as has been the case on this occasion), any slight pretext or accident will serve to give it a shock, from which it will not easily recover. SUCCESS VEILS MEN'S EVIL DEEDS. For success has a great tendency to conceal and throw a veil over the evil deeds of men. RESULT OF A REVERSE OF FORTUNE IN GOVERN- It happens as in our bodies: when a man is in sound and vigorous health, none of the weak parts of his body are felt; but when he is laid up by illness, every ailment is made worse, whether it be a fracture, or a dislocation, or any other member that has been injured. So in kingdoms and governments: as long as they are favored by victory, little notice is paid to the disorders in the state by the mass of the people; but when a reverse of fortune takes place, what is unsound becomes palpable to every eye. ABSOLUTE MONARCHIES DANGEROUS TO FREE STATES. In short free states, in my opinion, ought to have a wholesome dread of absolute monarchies, especially if they are situated in their immediate neighborhood. RESULT OF UNEXPECTED SUCCESS.. the cause of the foolish rushing into acts of For great and unexpected successes are often extravagance. POWER CANNOT BE FOUNDED UPON INJUSTICE. These may, For it is not, O Athenians-it is not, I assure you, possible for lasting power to be founded upon injustice, perjury, and treachery. indeed, succeed for once, and for a short time, putting on the gay and gaudy appearance of hope; but they are at last found out, and bring to ruin all who trust in them. For as in buildings of every kind the foundation ought to be the strongest, so the bases and principles of actions should be true and just. THREATS WITHOUT CORRESPONDENT ACTIONS ARE CONTEMPTIBLE. For words and threats, if they are not accompanied by action, cannot but appear vain and contemptible. HELP YOURSELF AND YOUR FRIENDS WILL HELP No man, who will not make an effort for himself, need apply for aid to his friends, and much less to the gods. MAN IS APT TO BLAME EVERY ONE BUT HIMSELF. For in the emergencies of war no one of those who fly ever think of accusing himself; he will rather blame the general, or his fellow-soldiers, or anything else; yet the defeat was certainly occasioned by the cowardice of each individual For he who accuses others might have maintained his own post, and if each had done so, success must have been the result. WE READILY BELIEVE WHAT WE WISH. So that nothing is so easy as to deceive one's self; for what we wish, that we readily 'believe; but such expectations are often inconsistent with the real state of things. We find the same idea in "Achilles Tatius de Leucippes et Clitophontis Amoribus " (lib. vi. 17)-- For the words which THE ULTIMATE EVENT DETERMINES MAN'S JUDG- show the hope of obtaining the wished-for object are read MENT. ily believed; which arises from this, that the simple desire aiding the wishes excites the hope." And again, in "Heliodorus " (lib. viii.), we find "For what the mind wishes, that it also believes." LOW PURSUITS ENGENDER LOW SENTIMENTS. If a man succeeds in preserving what he has acquired, he is willing enough to acknowledge the kindness of fortune; but if he squanders it foolishly, in parting with it he parts with any feeling of gratitude. So also in political affairs, those who do not make a good use of their opportunities It is impossible for those who are engaged in forget the favors which they may have received low and grovelling pursuits to entertain noble from the gods. For it is the end which generally and generous sentiments. No; their thoughts must always necessarily be somewhat similar to their employments. determines man's judgment of what has gone before. TO FIND FAULT IS EASY. To find fault, some one may say, is easy, and in every man's power; but to point out the proper course to be pursued in the present circumstances, that is the proof of a wise counsellor. LET THE PROSPEROUS SHOW KINDNESS TO THE Those enjoying prosperity should always be ready to assist the unfortunate, for no one can say what the future may bring forth. IN POLITICAL TRANSACTIONS THE POWERFUL | The former openly declares his opinion on the proper course to be pursued before the event, and For in civil society the rights of individuals, makes himself responsible for his advice to fortwithout reference to their power or weakness in une, to the times, and to those whom he has inthe state, are determined by the laws. But in na-fluenced. The latter is silent when he ought to tional concerns the powerful always prescribe to the weaker. THE PRAISING OF A MAN'S SELF IS BURDENSOME. It is the natural disposition of all men to listen with pleasure to abuse and slander of their neighbor, and to hear with impatience those who utter praises of themselves. So Proverbs (xxvii. 2)—“ Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips." THE TRUE BOND OF FRIENDSHIP. speak; but if anything unfortunate takes place, he dwells on it with invidious earnestness. MISFORTUNES. Misfortunes are the lot of all men, whenever it may please Heaven to inflict them. OUR FATHERLAND COMPREHENDS EVERY ENDEAR- Each of them was firmly convinced that a man was born not merely for his parents but also for his country. You may ask what is the difference. For it is not words that give strength to friend- It is very clear, for he who thinks himself born ship, but a similarity of interests. A TRAITOR. It is not the benefit of the traitor that is looked to by the man who bribes him, nor, after he has obtained what he bargained for, is he ever afterwards taken into confidence. If it were so, no one would be happier than a traitor. How should it be so? It is impossible. For when the ambitious man has once succeeded in gaining his object, then knowing the utter baseness of the man, he holds him in detestation, distrusts, and treats him with supreme contempt. ON WHAT MEN'S CONDUCT SHOULD BE MODELLED. Private individuals and public bodies should take as their pattern those actions by which they have acquired their fame. THE TRULY BRAVE. only for his parents awaits the fated hour with calm submission, whereas the other will boldly meet his fate that he may not see his country enslaved, and will consider those insults and disgraces which he must endure in a state of slavery as much more to be dreaded than death itself. MAN PROPOSES, GOD DISPOSES. Whatever was the duty of brave men, they were all ready to perform, but the sovereign Lord of the universe decided the fate of each. AN ACCUSER. A false accuser is a monster, a dangerous monster, ever and in every way malignant and ready to seek causes of complaint. A MINISTER OF STATE. What, then, are the duties of a minister of state? -to watch the rise of every event, to look into the future and forewarn his fellow-citizens of what may happen. This is precisely what I have done. And then, again, to confine within the narrowest limits the fatal results that naturally arise from For death is the inevitable close of every man's life, however much he may try to save it by skulking in some obscure corners; but the truly brave should not hesitate to draw the sword on all hon-irresolution, lukewarmness, prejudices, and party orable occasions, armed with fair hopes of success, and, whatever may be the result. to bear with resignation the will of Providence. For the sower of the seed is assuredly the author not if it will remain unchanged till the evening. of the whole harvest of mischief. So Proverbs (xxvii. 1)—“ Boast not thyself of to-morrow; So Proverbs (vi. 14)—“ Frowardness is in his heart, he devis- for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." eth mischief continually; he soweth discord.' phant differ from each other particularly in this.lieve that he who receives a favor must retain a DIOGENES LAËRTIUS.—DIONYSIUS OF HALICARNASSUS. recollection of it for all time to come, but that he who confers should at once forget it, if he is not to show a sordid and ungenerous spirit. To remind a man of a kindness conferred on him, and to talk of it, is little different from reproach. THE LOYAL STATESMAN. It is not the language, it is not the tone of voice of a public speaker that is to be considered, but such an approximation of feelings and interests with his fellow-citizens, that both his enemies and friends are the same with those of his country. For he who is thus animated, he it is who will speak his sentiments with an honest zeal. But he who pays court to those who threaten danger to the state, is not embarked in the same vessel with his fellow-citizens, and therefore does not look forward to the same results for his safety. THE GODS. Chance to despise, and fortune to control, THE VIRTUOUS CITIZEN. There are two qualities which ought always to distinguish a virtuous citizen: he ought, in the high offices of state, to maintain the honor and pre-eminence of his country, and in all times and circumstances to show kindly feelings; these are dependent upon nature, but abilities and success are the gifts of another power. DIOGENES LAËRTIUS. DIOGENES surnamed Laërtius, from the town of Laerta in Cilicia wrote the "Lives of the Philosophers." When he lived is unknown, but probably he belonged to the second century of our era. GOD IS OUR FATHER AND CREATOR. God is the creator of the universe, and also the father of all things, in common with all, and a part of him penetrating all thing CHAOS. There was once a time when all things were huddled together. 343 So Matthew (xxii. 13)—“ Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outward darkness." HEAVEN OUR FATHERLAND. To one who said to Anaxagoras, "Hast thou no regard for thy fatherland ?" " Softly," said he, "I have great regard for my fatherland," pointing to heaven. So John (xiv. 2)-"In my father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." CURSE NOT YOUR ENEMY. Speak not ill of your friend, and curse not your enemy. LAW OF GOD. He (Plato) regarded justice as God's law. There are two divisions of law, the one written, the other unwritten: the one arising from nature and habit is called unwritten. This is referred to by Seneca (Controv. 1)-"Laws not written, but more certain in their influence than laws that are written." So Romans (ii. 14, 15)—“For when the gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these having not the law, are a law unto themselves: which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another." WHAT IS GOOD IN THEE IS OF GOD. Most men are bad; whatever good thing thou doest, ascribe to God. So Philippians (ii. 13)—–“ For it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure; " and Sirach (vi. 37)—" Let thy mind meditate continually on God's commandments: He shall establish thine heart, and give thee wisdom at thine own desire." DIONYSIUS OF HALICARNASSUS. flourished from B.C. 29 TO B.C. 7. DIONYSIUS, a celebrated writer on Latin antiquities, was a native of Halicarnassus, and came to Rome about B.C. 29, at the close of the civil wars. Here he continued for twenty-two years, making himself acquainted with the customs and transactions of the Romans. His work is entitled "Roman Antiquities," and goes back to the origin of the nations of Italy. It closed with the year So Genesis (i. 1)-"In the beginning God created the heaven B.C. 265, the year before the first Punic war, when and the earth.” GRANDEUR OF THE WORLD. the history of Polybius properly begins. It contains many details on the laws and customs of The world is perfectly beautiful, for it is a work Rome, which are valuable, as they are nowhere of God. THE WAY TO THE GRAVE. else to be found. It was contained in twenty books, of which eleven only have come down to us, with some fragments of the others. They bring The way to the world below is easy, for men go the history of Rome down to B.C. 440. to it with shut eyes. So 1 Samuel (xx. 3)—" There is but a step between thee and death." THE WICKED. THE WORKS OF AN AUTHOR ARE THE IMAGE OF HIS MIND. For the general observation is strictly correct, The impure souls are bound by the Furies in that the works of an author may be considered the chains that cannot be broken. representation of his mind. |
