3
So then, said Thales, as the Egyptians say of the stars, when they gain or lose altitude in their courses, that they are growing better or worse than they were before, do you fear that the obscuration and degradation affecting you because of your place at table will be brought about in a similar way? And you will be contemptible when compared with the Spartan A remark to like effect is assigned to Agesilaus in Moralia, 208 D, and to Damonidas in Moralia, 219 E. The idea is also credited to Aristippus by Diogenes Laertius, ii. 73. who in a chorus was put by the director in the very last place, whereupon he exclaimed, Good! You have found out how this may be made a place of honour. When we have taken our places, continued Thales, we ought not to try to discover who has been placed above us, but rather how we may be thoroughly agreeable to those placed with us, by trying at once to discover in them something that may serve to initiate and keep up friendship, and, better yet, by harbouring no discontent but an open satisfaction in being placed next to such persons as these. For, in every case, a man that objects to his place at table is objecting to his neighbour rather than to his host, and he makes himself hateful to both.
3
All this, said Alexidemus, is merely talk that means nothing. As a matter of fact, I observe that all you wise men too make it your aim in life to have honour shown you; and with that he passed by us and departed.
3
Thales, in answer to our look of astonishment at the man’s extraordinary conduct, said, A crazy fellow, and uncouth by nature; as an instance, when he was still a boy, some especially fine perfume was brought to Thrasybulus, and this the youngster emptied into a big wine-cooler, and on top of it poured strong wine, and drank it off, thus creating enmity instead of friendship for Thrasybulus.
