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Lycinus Why, at first, I gathered, it was very even between them; but you Stoics had it in the end, and your master was much too hard for him. Euthydemus did not even get off whole; he had a great cut on his head. He was pretentious, insisted on proving his point, would not give in, and proved a hard nut to crack; so your excellent professor, who had a goblet as big as Nestor’s in his hand, brought this down on him as he lay within easy reach, and the victory was his.
12
Hermotimus Good; 80 perish all who will not yield to their betters!
12
Lycinus Very reasonable, Hermotimus; what was Euthydemus thinking of, to irritate an old man who is purged of wrath and master of his passions, when he had such a heavy goblet in his hand?
13
But we have time to spare—you might tell a friend like me the story of your start in philosophy; then I might perhaps, if it is not too late, begin now and join your school; you are my friends; you will not be exclusive?
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Hermotimus If only you would, Lycinus! you will soon find out how much you are superior to the rest of men. I do assure you, you will think them all children, you will be so much wiser.
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Lycinus Enough for me, if after twenty years of it I am where you are now.
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Hermotimus Oh, I was about your age when I started on philosophy; I was forty; and you must be about that.
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Lycinus Just that; so take and lead me on the same way; that is but right. And first tell me—do you allow learners to criticize, if they find difficulties in your doctrines, or must juniors abstain from that?
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Hermotimus Why, yes, they must; but you shall have leave to ask questions and criticize; you will learn easier that way.
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Lycinus I thank you for it, Hermotimus, by your name-God Hermes.
14
Now, is there only one road to philosophy—the Stoic way? they tell me there are a great many other philosophers; is that so?
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Hermotimus Certainly—Peripatetics, Epicureans, Platonists, followers of Diogenes, Antisthenes, Pythagoras, and more yet.
