Lucian of Samosata, Vitarum auctio, Austin Morris Harmon (Translator), 12

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ZEUS

Call another; the Cyrenaic in the purple cloak, with the wreath on his head.¹

HERMES

Come now, attend, everyone! Here we have high-priced wares, wanting a rich buyer. Here you are with the sweetest philosophy, the thrice-happy philosophy! Who hankers for high living? Who'll buy the height of luxury?

BUYER

Come here and tell me what you know; I will buy you if you are of any use.

HERMES

Don’t bother him, please, sir, and don’t question him, for he is drunk, and so can’t answer you because his tongue falters, as you observe.

BUYER

Who that is in his senses would buy so corrupt and lawless a slave? How he reeks of myrrh, and how he staggers and reels in his gait! But you yourself, Hermes, might tell me what traits he has and what his object in life is.

HERMES

In general, he is accommodating to live with, satisfactory to drink with, and handy to accompany an amorous and profligate master when he riots about town with a flute-girl, Moreover, he is a connoisseur in pastries and a highly expert cook: in short, a Professor of Luxury. He was educated in Athens, and entered service in Sicily, at the court of the tyrants, with whom he enjoyed high favour. The sum and substance of his creed is to despise everything, make use of everything and cull pleasure from every source.

BUYER

You had better look about for someone else, among these rich and wealthy people; for I can’t afford to buy a jolly life.

HERMES

It looks as if this fellow would be left on our hands, Zeus.

Vitarum auctio. Lucian of Samosata. Austin Morris Harmon (Translator). United States. Perseus 5.0.

Funding provided by National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

Philosophies for Sale (English) (Lucian, Vol. 2. Harmon, Austin Morris, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1915.)

Editions (1)

Βίων Πρᾶσις Perseus (Lucian, Vol. 2. Harmon, Austin Morris, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1915.) — 12 focus

Ζεύς

ἄλλον κάλει τὸν Κυρηναῖον, τὸν ἐν τῇ πορφυρίδι, τὸν ἐστεφανωμένον.

Ἑρμῆς

ἄγε δή, πρόσεχε πᾶς· πολυτελὲς τὸ χρῆμα καὶ πλουσίων δεόμενον. βίος οὗτος ἥδιστος, βίος τρισμακάριστος. τίς ἐπιθυμεῖ τρυφῆς; τίς ὠνεῖται τὸν ἁβρότατον;

Ἀγοράστης

ἐλθὲ σὺ καὶ λέγε ἅπερ εἰδὼς τυγχάνεις· ὠνήσομαι γάρ σε, ἢν ὠφέλιμος ᾖς.

Ἑρμῆς

μὴ ἐνόχλει αὐτόν, ὦ βέλτιστε, μηδὲ ἀνάκρινε· μεθύει γάρ. ὥστε οὐκ ἂν ἀποκρίναιτό σοι, τὴν γλῶτταν, ὡς ὁρᾷς, διολισθάνων.

Ἀγοράστης

καὶ τίς ἂν εὖ φρονῶν πρίαιτο διεφθαρμένον οὕτω καὶ ἀκόλαστον ἀνδράποδον; ὅσον δὲ καὶ ἀποπνεῖ μύρων, ὡς δὲ καὶ σφαλερὸν βαδίζει καὶ παράφορον. ἀλλὰ κἂν σύ γε, ὦ Ἑρμῆ, λέγε ὁποῖα πρόσεστιν αὐτῷ καὶ ἃ μετιὼν τυγχάνει.

Ἑρμῆς

τὸ μὲν ὅλον, συμβιῶναι δεξιὸς καὶ συμπιεῖν ἱκανὸς καὶ κωμάσαι μετὰ αὐλητρίδος ἐπιτήδειος ἐρῶντι καὶ ἀσώτῳ δεσπότῃ· τὰ ἄλλα δὲ πεμμάτων ἐπιστήμων καὶ ὀψοποιὸς ἐμπειρότατος, καὶ ὅλως σοφιστὴς ἡδυπαθείας. ἐπαιδεύθη μὲν οὖν Ἀθήνησιν, ἐδούλευσε δὲ καὶ περὶ Σικελίαν τοῖς τυράννοις καὶ σφόδρα εὐδοκίμει παρʼ αὐτοῖς. τὸ δὲ κεφάλαιον τῆς προαιρέσεως, ἁπάντων καταφρονεῖν, ἅπασι χρῆσθαι, πανταχόθεν ἐρανίζεσθαι τὴν ἡδονήν.

Ἀγοράστης

ὥρα σοι ἄλλον περιβλέπειν τῶν πλουσίων τούτων καὶ πολυχρημάτων· ἐγὼ μὲν γὰρ οὐκ ἐπιτήδειος ἱλαρὸν ὠνεῖσθαι βίον.

Ἑρμῆς

Ἄπρατος ἔοικεν ἡμῖν οὗτος, ὦ Ζεῦ, μένειν.

Translations (2)

Sale of Creeds Perseus (The Works of Lucian of Samosata, Vol. 1. Fowler, Henry Watson and Fowler, Francis George, translators. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1905.) — 12 focus

Zeus

Now for the Cyrenaic, the crowned and purple-robed.

Heraclitus

Attend please, gentlemen all. A most valuable article, this, and calls for a long purse.’ Look at him, A sweet thing in creeds. A creed for a king. Has any gentleman a use for the Lap of Luxury? Who bids?:

Third Dealer

Come and tell me what you know. If you are a practical creed, I will have you.

Heraclitus

Please not to worry him with questions, sir. He is drunk, and cannot answer; his tongue plays him tricks, as you see.

Third Dealer

And who in his senses would buy such an abandoned reprobate? How he smells of scent! And how he slips and staggers about! Well, you must speak for him, Hermes. What can he do? What is his line?

Heraclitus

Well, for any gentleman who is not strait-laced, who loves a pretty girl, a bottle, and a jolly companion, he is the very thing. He is also a past master in gastronomy, and a connoisseur in voluptuousness generally. He was educated at Athens, and has served royalty in Sicily¹, where he had a very good character. Here are his principles in a nutshell: Think the worst of things: make the most of things: get all possible pleasure out of things.

Third Dealer

You must look for wealthier purchasers. My purse is not equal to such a festive creed.

Heraclitus

Zeus, this lot seems likely to remain on our hands.

The Sale of Lives Perseus (Lucian. Selections from Lucian. Smith, Emily James, translator. New York: Harper Brothers, 1892.) — 12 focus

Zeus

Call another, the Cyrenaic, the one in the purple robe with the garland on his head.

Hermes

Come now, attention, all! This article is expensive, and only for the rich. This is a life of sweetness, a thrice-blessed life! Who wants luxury? Who will buy the daintiest thing going?

Buyer

Step forward, you, and tell me what you happen to know. I will buy you if you are useful.

Hermes

Do not annoy him, my good fellow, or ask him questions. He is drunk and cannot answer you, for his tongue is thick, as you perceive.

Buyer

And who in his senses would buy such an abandoned, dissipated slave? How he reeks of perfumes, and how reeling and uncertain his gait is! But tell me yourself, Hermes, if need be, what his points are, and what his pursuits.

Hermes

Primarily he is a clever man to live with you, able to drink with you, and just the man to go with a flute-girl on the revels of an amorous and spendthrift master. Moreover, he is a connoisseur of made dishes, a most experienced cook, and a complete professor of the art of pleasant living. In fact, he was educated at Athens, and also served various despots in Sicily, and is highly esteemed by them. This is the substance of his principles: to despise everything, make use of everything, and gather pleasure from every source.

Buyer

You had better cast your eye on some one of these rich men with full purses. Certainly for buying a gay life I am not your man.

Hermes

It looks, Zeus, as though this one would be left on your hands.

Notes on the current edition

Philosophies for Sale

1. The Cyrenaic school, which made pleasure the highest good, was founded by Aristippus, who furnished a detail or two to this caricature.

Lucian of Samosata Vitarum auctio 12

Austin Morris Harmon (Translator)

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ZEUS

Call another; the Cyrenaic in the purple cloak, with the wreath on his head.¹

HERMES

Come now, attend, everyone! Here we have high-priced wares, wanting a rich buyer. Here you are with the sweetest philosophy, the thrice-happy philosophy! Who hankers for high living? Who'll buy the height of luxury?

BUYER

Come here and tell me what you know; I will buy you if you are of any use.

HERMES

Don’t bother him, please, sir, and don’t question him, for he is drunk, and so can’t answer you because his tongue falters, as you observe.

BUYER

Who that is in his senses would buy so corrupt and lawless a slave? How he reeks of myrrh, and how he staggers and reels in his gait! But you yourself, Hermes, might tell me what traits he has and what his object in life is.

BUYER

You had better look about for someone else, among these rich and wealthy people; for I can’t afford to buy a jolly life.

HERMES

It looks as if this fellow would be left on our hands, Zeus.

Current edition Perseus

Ζεύς

ἄλλον κάλει τὸν Κυρηναῖον, τὸν ἐν τῇ πορφυρίδι, τὸν ἐστεφανωμένον.

Ἀγοράστης

ἐλθὲ σὺ καὶ λέγε ἅπερ εἰδὼς τυγχάνεις· ὠνήσομαι γάρ σε, ἢν ὠφέλιμος ᾖς.

Ἑρμῆς

μὴ ἐνόχλει αὐτόν, ὦ βέλτιστε, μηδὲ ἀνάκρινε· μεθύει γάρ. ὥστε οὐκ ἂν ἀποκρίναιτό σοι, τὴν γλῶτταν, ὡς ὁρᾷς, διολισθάνων.

Ἀγοράστης

ὥρα σοι ἄλλον περιβλέπειν τῶν πλουσίων τούτων καὶ πολυχρημάτων· ἐγὼ μὲν γὰρ οὐκ ἐπιτήδειος ἱλαρὸν ὠνεῖσθαι βίον.

Ἑρμῆς

Ἄπρατος ἔοικεν ἡμῖν οὗτος, ὦ Ζεῦ, μένειν.

Zeus

Now for the Cyrenaic, the crowned and purple-robed.

Heraclitus

Attend please, gentlemen all. A most valuable article, this, and calls for a long purse.’ Look at him, A sweet thing in creeds. A creed for a king. Has any gentleman a use for the Lap of Luxury? Who bids?:

Third Dealer

Come and tell me what you know. If you are a practical creed, I will have you.

Heraclitus

Please not to worry him with questions, sir. He is drunk, and cannot answer; his tongue plays him tricks, as you see.

Third Dealer

And who in his senses would buy such an abandoned reprobate? How he smells of scent! And how he slips and staggers about! Well, you must speak for him, Hermes. What can he do? What is his line?

Third Dealer

You must look for wealthier purchasers. My purse is not equal to such a festive creed.

Heraclitus

Zeus, this lot seems likely to remain on our hands.

Zeus

Call another, the Cyrenaic, the one in the purple robe with the garland on his head.

Hermes

Come now, attention, all! This article is expensive, and only for the rich. This is a life of sweetness, a thrice-blessed life! Who wants luxury? Who will buy the daintiest thing going?

Buyer

Step forward, you, and tell me what you happen to know. I will buy you if you are useful.

Hermes

Do not annoy him, my good fellow, or ask him questions. He is drunk and cannot answer you, for his tongue is thick, as you perceive.

Buyer

And who in his senses would buy such an abandoned, dissipated slave? How he reeks of perfumes, and how reeling and uncertain his gait is! But tell me yourself, Hermes, if need be, what his points are, and what his pursuits.

Buyer

You had better cast your eye on some one of these rich men with full purses. Certainly for buying a gay life I am not your man.

Hermes

It looks, Zeus, as though this one would be left on your hands.

Notes on the current edition

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

ZEUS Call another; the Cyrenaic in the purple cloak, with the wreath on his head. 1

HERMES Come now, attend, everyone! Here we have high-priced wares, wanting a rich buyer. Here you are with the sweetest philosophy, the thrice-happy philosophy! Who hankers for high living? Who'll buy the height of luxury?

BUYER Come here and tell me what you know; I will buy you if you are of any use.

HERMES Don’t bother him, please, sir, and don’t question him, for he is drunk, and so can’t answer you because his tongue falters, as you observe.

BUYER Who that is in his senses would buy so corrupt and lawless a slave? How he reeks of myrrh, and how he staggers and reels in his gait! But you yourself, Hermes, might tell me what traits he has and what his object in life is.

BUYER You had better look about for someone else, among these rich and wealthy people; for I can’t afford to buy a jolly life.

HERMES It looks as if this fellow would be left on our hands, Zeus.

Current edition Perseus

Ζεύς ἄλλον κάλει τὸν Κυρηναῖον, τὸν ἐν τῇ πορφυρίδι, τὸν ἐστεφανωμένον.

Ἀγοράστης ἐλθὲ σὺ καὶ λέγε ἅπερ εἰδὼς τυγχάνεις· ὠνήσομαι γάρ σε, ἢν ὠφέλιμος ᾖς.

Ἑρμῆς μὴ ἐνόχλει αὐτόν, ὦ βέλτιστε, μηδὲ ἀνάκρινε· μεθύει γάρ. ὥστε οὐκ ἂν ἀποκρίναιτό σοι, τὴν γλῶτταν, ὡς ὁρᾷς, διολισθάνων.

Ἀγοράστης ὥρα σοι ἄλλον περιβλέπειν τῶν πλουσίων τούτων καὶ πολυχρημάτων· ἐγὼ μὲν γὰρ οὐκ ἐπιτήδειος ἱλαρὸν ὠνεῖσθαι βίον.

Ἑρμῆς Ἄπρατος ἔοικεν ἡμῖν οὗτος, ὦ Ζεῦ, μένειν.

Zeus Now for the Cyrenaic, the crowned and purple-robed.

Heraclitus Attend please, gentlemen all. A most valuable article, this, and calls for a long purse.’ Look at him, A sweet thing in creeds. A creed for a king. Has any gentleman a use for the Lap of Luxury? Who bids?:

Third Dealer Come and tell me what you know. If you are a practical creed, I will have you.

Heraclitus Please not to worry him with questions, sir. He is drunk, and cannot answer; his tongue plays him tricks, as you see.

Third Dealer And who in his senses would buy such an abandoned reprobate? How he smells of scent! And how he slips and staggers about! Well, you must speak for him, Hermes. What can he do? What is his line?

Third Dealer You must look for wealthier purchasers. My purse is not equal to such a festive creed.

Heraclitus Zeus, this lot seems likely to remain on our hands.

Zeus Call another, the Cyrenaic, the one in the purple robe with the garland on his head.

Hermes Come now, attention, all! This article is expensive, and only for the rich. This is a life of sweetness, a thrice-blessed life! Who wants luxury? Who will buy the daintiest thing going?

Buyer Step forward, you, and tell me what you happen to know. I will buy you if you are useful.

Hermes Do not annoy him, my good fellow, or ask him questions. He is drunk and cannot answer you, for his tongue is thick, as you perceive.

Buyer And who in his senses would buy such an abandoned, dissipated slave? How he reeks of perfumes, and how reeling and uncertain his gait is! But tell me yourself, Hermes, if need be, what his points are, and what his pursuits.

Buyer You had better cast your eye on some one of these rich men with full purses. Certainly for buying a gay life I am not your man.

Hermes It looks, Zeus, as though this one would be left on your hands.

Notes on the current edition

Stable identifiers

ZEUS

Call another; the Cyrenaic in the purple cloak, with the wreath on his head.¹

HERMES

Come now, attend, everyone! Here we have high-priced wares, wanting a rich buyer. Here you are with the sweetest philosophy, the thrice-happy philosophy! Who hankers for high living? Who'll buy the height of luxury?

BUYER

Come here and tell me what you know; I will buy you if you are of any use.

HERMES

Don’t bother him, please, sir, and don’t question him, for he is drunk, and so can’t answer you because his tongue falters, as you observe.

BUYER

Who that is in his senses would buy so corrupt and lawless a slave? How he reeks of myrrh, and how he staggers and reels in his gait! But you yourself, Hermes, might tell me what traits he has and what his object in life is.

BUYER

You had better look about for someone else, among these rich and wealthy people; for I can’t afford to buy a jolly life.

HERMES

It looks as if this fellow would be left on our hands, Zeus.

Ζεύς

ἄλλον κάλει τὸν Κυρηναῖον, τὸν ἐν τῇ πορφυρίδι, τὸν ἐστεφανωμένον.

Ἀγοράστης

ἐλθὲ σὺ καὶ λέγε ἅπερ εἰδὼς τυγχάνεις· ὠνήσομαι γάρ σε, ἢν ὠφέλιμος ᾖς.

Ἑρμῆς

μὴ ἐνόχλει αὐτόν, ὦ βέλτιστε, μηδὲ ἀνάκρινε· μεθύει γάρ. ὥστε οὐκ ἂν ἀποκρίναιτό σοι, τὴν γλῶτταν, ὡς ὁρᾷς, διολισθάνων.

Ἀγοράστης

ὥρα σοι ἄλλον περιβλέπειν τῶν πλουσίων τούτων καὶ πολυχρημάτων· ἐγὼ μὲν γὰρ οὐκ ἐπιτήδειος ἱλαρὸν ὠνεῖσθαι βίον.

Ἑρμῆς

Ἄπρατος ἔοικεν ἡμῖν οὗτος, ὦ Ζεῦ, μένειν.

Zeus

Now for the Cyrenaic, the crowned and purple-robed.

Heraclitus

Attend please, gentlemen all. A most valuable article, this, and calls for a long purse.’ Look at him, A sweet thing in creeds. A creed for a king. Has any gentleman a use for the Lap of Luxury? Who bids?:

Third Dealer

Come and tell me what you know. If you are a practical creed, I will have you.

Heraclitus

Please not to worry him with questions, sir. He is drunk, and cannot answer; his tongue plays him tricks, as you see.

Third Dealer

And who in his senses would buy such an abandoned reprobate? How he smells of scent! And how he slips and staggers about! Well, you must speak for him, Hermes. What can he do? What is his line?

Third Dealer

You must look for wealthier purchasers. My purse is not equal to such a festive creed.

Heraclitus

Zeus, this lot seems likely to remain on our hands.

Zeus

Call another, the Cyrenaic, the one in the purple robe with the garland on his head.

Hermes

Come now, attention, all! This article is expensive, and only for the rich. This is a life of sweetness, a thrice-blessed life! Who wants luxury? Who will buy the daintiest thing going?

Buyer

Step forward, you, and tell me what you happen to know. I will buy you if you are useful.

Hermes

Do not annoy him, my good fellow, or ask him questions. He is drunk and cannot answer you, for his tongue is thick, as you perceive.

Buyer

And who in his senses would buy such an abandoned, dissipated slave? How he reeks of perfumes, and how reeling and uncertain his gait is! But tell me yourself, Hermes, if need be, what his points are, and what his pursuits.

Buyer

You had better cast your eye on some one of these rich men with full purses. Certainly for buying a gay life I am not your man.

Hermes

It looks, Zeus, as though this one would be left on your hands.