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THE DISPUTE OF SOCRATES WITH ANTIPHON, THE SOPHIST.
To this end it will not be amiss to relate, for the honour of Socrates, what passed between him and the sophist Antiphon, who designed to seduce away his hearers, and to that end came to him when they were with him, and, in their presence, addressed himself to him in these words:--"I imagined, Socrates, that philosophers were happier than other men; but, in my opinion, your wisdom renders you more miserable, for you live at such a rate that no footman would live with a master that treated him in the same manner.

You eat and drink poorly, you are clothed very meanly--the same suit serves you in summer and winter--you go barefoot, and for all this you take no money, though it is a pleasure to get it; for, after a man has acquired it, he lives more genteely and more at his ease.

If, therefore, as in all other sorts of arts, apprentices endeavour to imitate their masters, should these who frequent your conversation become like you, it is certain that you will have taught them nothing but to make themselves miserable." Socrates answered him in the following manner:--"You think, Antiphon, I live so poorly that I believe you would rather die than live like me.

But what is it you find so strange and difficult in my way of living?
You blame me for not taking money; is it because they who take money are obliged to do what they promise, and that I, who take none, entertain myself only with whom I think fit?
You despise my eating and drinking; is it because my diet is not so good nor so nourishing as yours, or because it is more scarce and dearer, or lastly, because your fare seems to you to be better?
Know that a man who likes what he eats needs no other _ragout_, and that he who finds one sort of drink pleasant wishes for no other.