Book 6
31
And Araros, in his Hymenæus, uses the word parasite, where he says— Why you must be a parasite, my friend; And 'tis Ischomachus who does support you. And the word is constantly used among the later writers. And the verb παρασιτέω, to be a parasite, occurs in Plato the comic writer, in his Laches. For he says— See how these youths do play the parasite. And Alexis says that there are two kinds of parasites, in his Pilot, where we find this passage— A. There are two kinds of parasites, Nausinicos: The one the common one, much jested on By comic writers, we, the blackfaced men N. What is the other kind? A. Satraps of parasites; Illustrious leaders of the band; a troop Whom you may call the venerable parasites; Men who act well throughout their lives; Knit their brows gravely, win estates and legacies. Know'st thou the kind of men, and these their manners? N. Indeed I do. A. Each of these men have one Fix'd method of proceeding, flattery; And as in life, fortune makes some men great, And bids the rest content themselves with little; So some of us do thrive, and some do fail. Do I not make the matter plain to you N. Why if I praise you, you will ask for more.
