30
When he saw Apollonius the philosopher leaving the city with a multitude of disciples (he was called away to be tutor to the emperor), Demonax remarked: “There goes Apollonius and his Argonauts!”Alluding to Apollonius of Rhodes and his poem on the Argonauts, and implying that this was another quest of the Golden Fleece.
31
When a man asked him if lie thought that the soul was immortal, he said: “Yes, but no more so than everything else.”
32
Touching Herodes he remarked that Plato was right in saying that we have more than one soul, for a man with only one could not feast Regilla Wife of Herodes. and Polydeuces as if they were still alive and say what he did in his lectures.
33
Once, on hearing the proclamation which precedes the mysteries, he made bold to ask the Athenians publicly why they exclude foreigners, particularly as the founder of the rite, Eumolpus, was a foreigner and a Thracian to boot!
34
Again, when he was intending to make a voyage in winter, one of his friends remarked: “Aren’t you afraid the boat will capsize and the fishes will eat you?” “I should be an ingrate,” said he, “if I made any bones about letting the fishes eat me, when I have eaten so many of them!”
35
An. orator whose delivery was wretched was advised by him to practise and exercise; on his replying: “I am always reciting to myself,” Demonax answered: “Then no wonder you recite that way, with a fool for a hearer!”
36
Again, on seeing a soothsayer make public forecasts for money, he said: “1 don’t see on what ground you claim the fee: if you think you can change destiny in any way, you ask too little, however much you ask; but if everything is to turn out as Heaven has ordained, what good is your soothsaying?”
37
When a Roman ofticer, well-developed physically, gave him an exhibition of sword-practice on a post, and asked: “What did you think of my swordsmanship, Demonax?”’ he said: “Fine, if you have a wooden adversary!”
