Close prisoners there to be,Stratonicus enquiring of his host in the isle of Seriphus what crime among them was punished with banishment, and being told forgery was so punished, he asked him why he did not commit that crime that he might be removed out of that strait place; and yet there, as the comedian expresses it, they reap down their figs with slings, and that island is provided with all things that it wants. [p. 22]
At th' utmost shore of the fierce Euxine Sea.
1
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When certain Egyptians, not enduring the anger and
hard usage of their king, went to dwell in Ethiopia, and
some earnestly entreated them to return to their wives
[p. 21]
and children they had left behind them, they very impudently showed them their privy parts, saying they should
never want wives or children whilst they carried those
about them. But it is more grave and becoming to say
that whosoever happens to be provided with a competency
of the necessaries to life, wheresoever he is, is not without
a city or a dwelling, nor need reckon himself a stranger
there; only he ought to have besides these prudence and
consideration, like a governing anchor, that he may be able
to make advantage of any port at which he arrives. It is
not easy indeed for him that has lost his wealth quickly to
gather it up again; but every city becomes presently that
man's country who has the skill to use it, and who has
those roots which can live and thrive, cling and grow to
every place. Such had Themistocles, and such had Demetrius Phalareus; for this last named, after his banishment,
being the prime friend of King Ptolemy in Alexandria, not
only was abundantly provided for himself, but also sent
presents to the Athenians. As for Themistocles, he was
maintained by an allowance suitable to his quality at the
King's charge, and is reported to have said to his wife and
children, We had been undone, if we had not been undone.
Diogenes the Cynic also, when one told him, The Sinopians
have condemned thee to fly from Pontus, replied, And I
have condemned them to stay in Pontus,
1 Eurip. Iph. Taur. 253.
Plutarch. Plutarch's Morals. Translated from the Greek by several hands. Corrected and revised by. William W. Goodwin, PH. D. Boston. Little, Brown, and Company. Cambridge. Press Of John Wilson and son. 1874. 3.
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