Lucian of Samosata, Vitarum auctio, Emily James Smith (Translator), 25

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Chrysippos

If you like, I will give you an extreme example, and prove in a twinkling that you are a stone.

Buyer

How a stone? You do not look to me like Perseus with the Gorgon's head, my friend.

Chrysippos

This is the way. Is the stone a body?

Buyer

Yes.

Chrysippos

Well, is not a living creature a body?

Buyer

Yes.

Chrysippos

But you are a living creature?

Buyer

Certainly, I have that appearance.

Chrysippos

Then you are a stone, for you are a body.

Buyer

Heaven forbid! In Zeus' name, release me and make me a man again!

Chrysippos

That is easy; be a man once more. For, tell me, is every body a living creature?

Buyer

No.

Chrysippos

Well, is a stone a living creature?

Buyer

No.

Chrysippos

But you are a body?

Buyer

Yes.

Chrysippos

And being a body you are a living creature?

Buyer

Yes.

Chrysippos

Then you are not a stone, because you are a living creature.

Buyer

Thank you. My legs were getting lifeless already and stiff, like Niobe's. But I am certainly going to buy you. What is his price?

Hermes

Two hundred and forty dollars.

Buyer

Here it is.

Hermes

Are you the sole purchaser?

Buyer

Dear me, no. All these people are with me.

Hermes

There are plenty of them, and strong in the shoulder. They are fit for "the Mower."

Vitarum auctio. Lucian of Samosata. Emily James Smith (Translator). Medford, MA. Perseus 5.0.

Funding provided by National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

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

Editions (1)

Βίων Πρᾶσις Perseus (Lucian, Vol. 2. Harmon, Austin Morris, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1915.) — 25 focus

Χρύσιππος

ὃ δὲ μέγιστον, ἢν ἐθέλω, τάχιστά σε ἀποδείξω λίθον.

Ἀγοράστης

πῶς λίθον; οὐ γὰρ Περσεὺς σύ, ὦ βέλτιστε, εἶναί μοι δοκεῖς.

Χρύσιππος

ὧδέ πως· ὁ λίθος σῶμά ἐστι;

Ἀγοράστης

ναί.

Χρύσιππος

τί δέ; τὸ ζῷον οὐ σῶμα;

Ἀγοράστης

ναί.

Χρύσιππος

σὺ δὲ ζῷον;

Ἀγοράστης

ἔοικα γοῦν.

Χρύσιππος

λίθος ἄρα εἶ σῶμα ὤν.

Ἀγοράστης

μηδαμῶς. ἀλλʼ ἀνάλυσόν με πρὸς τοῦ Διὸς καὶ ἐξ ὑπαρχῆς ποίησον ἄνθρωπον.

Χρύσιππος

οὐ χαλεπόν· ἀλλʼ ἔμπαλιν ἴσθι ἄνθρωπος. εἰπὲ γάρ μοι, πᾶν σῶμα ζῷον;

Ἀγοράστης

οὔ.

Χρύσιππος

τί δέ; λίθος ζῷον;

Ἀγοράστης

οὔ.

Χρύσιππος

σὺ δὲ σῶμα εἶ;

Ἀγοράστης

ναί.

Χρύσιππος

σῶμα δὲ ὢν ζῷον εἶ;

Ἀγοράστης

ναί.

Χρύσιππος

οὐκ ἄρα λίθος εἶ ζῷόν γε ὤν.

Ἀγοράστης

εὖ γε ἐποίησας, ὡς ἤδη μου τὰ σκέλη καθάπερ τῆς Νιόβης ἀπεψύχετο καὶ πάγια ἦν. ἀλλὰ ὠνήσομαί γε σέ. πόσον ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ καταβαλῶ;

Ἑρμῆς

μνᾶς δώδεκα.

Ἀγοράστης

λάμβανε.

Ἑρμῆς

μόνος δὲ αὐτὸν ἐώνησαι;

Ἀγοράστης

μὰ Δίʼ, ἀλλʼ οὗτοι πάντες οὓς ὁρᾷς.

Ἑρμῆς

πολλοί γε καὶ τοὺς ὤμους καρτεροὶ καὶ τοῦ θερίζοντος ἄξιοι.

Translations (2)

Philosophies for Sale Perseus (Lucian, Vol. 2. Harmon, Austin Morris, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1915.) — 25 focus

STOIC

But the great thing is that if I wish I can turn you into a stone forthwith.

BUYER

How will you turn me into a stone? You are not a Perseus, I think, my dear fellow.

STOIC

In this way. Isa stone a substance?

BUYER

Yes.

STOIC

And how about this—is not an animal a substance?

BUYER

Yes.

STOIC

And you are an animal?

BUYER

So it appears, anyhow.

STOIC

Then you are a substance, and therefore a stone!

BUYER

Don’t say that! Distribute my middle, for Heaven’s sake, and make me a man again.

STOIC

That is not difficult. Be a man once more!—Tell me, is every substance an animal?

BUYER

No.

STOIC

Well, is a stone an animal?

BUYER

No.

STOIC

You are a substance?

BUYER

Yes.

STOIC

But even if you are a substance, you are an animal.

BUYER

Yes.

STOIC

Then you are not a stone, being an animal.

BUYER

Thank you kindly; my legs were already as cold and solid as Niobe’s. Iwill buy you. (Zo uunmes.) How much have I to pay for him?

HERMES

Twelve minas.

BUYER

Here you are.

HERMES

Are you the sole purchaser?

BUYER

No, indeed; there are all these men whom you see.

HERMES

Yes, there are many of them, heavy-shouldered fellows, fit associates for the Reaper.

Sale of Creeds Perseus (The Works of Lucian of Samosata, Vol. 1. Fowler, Henry Watson and Fowler, Francis George, translators. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1905.) — 25 focus

Chrysippus

It cripples; it ties the tongue, and turns the brain. Nay, I have but to will it, and you are stone this instant.

Seventh Dealer

Stone! You are no Perseus, friend?

Chrysippus

See here. A stone is a body?

Seventh Dealer

Yes.

Chrysippus

Well, and an animal is a body?

Seventh Dealer

Yes.

Chrysippus

And you are an animal?

Seventh Dealer

I suppose I am.

Chrysippus

‘Therefore you are a body. Therefore a stone.

Seventh Dealer

Mercy, in Heaven’s name! Unstone me, and let me be flesh as heretofore.

Chrysippus

That is soon done. Back with you into flesh! Thus: Is every body animate?

Seventh Dealer

No.

Chrysippus

Is a stone animate?

Seventh Dealer

No.

Chrysippus

Now, you are a body?

Seventh Dealer

Yes.

Chrysippus

And an animate body?

Seventh Dealer

Yes.

Chrysippus

Then being animate, you cannot be a stone.

Seventh Dealer

Ah! thank you, thank you. I was beginning to feel my limbs growing numb and solidifying like Niobe’s. Oh, I must have you. What’s to pay?

Heraclitus

Fifty pounds.

Seventh Dealer

Here it is.

Heraclitus

Are you sole purchaser?

Seventh Dealer

Not I. All these gentlemen here are going shares.

Heraclitus

A fine strapping lot of fellows, and will do the ‘Reaper’ credit.

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Chrysippos If you like, I will give you an extreme example, and prove in a twinkling that you are a stone.

Buyer How a stone? You do not look to me like Perseus with the Gorgon's head, my friend.

Chrysippos This is the way. Is the stone a body?

Buyer Yes.

Chrysippos Well, is not a living creature a body?

Buyer Yes.

Chrysippos But you are a living creature?

Buyer Certainly, I have that appearance.

Chrysippos Then you are a stone, for you are a body.

Buyer Heaven forbid! In Zeus' name, release me and make me a man again!

Chrysippos That is easy; be a man once more. For, tell me, is every body a living creature?

Buyer No.

Chrysippos Well, is a stone a living creature?

Buyer No.

Chrysippos But you are a body?

Buyer Yes.

Chrysippos And being a body you are a living creature?

Buyer Yes.

Chrysippos Then you are not a stone, because you are a living creature.

Buyer Thank you. My legs were getting lifeless already and stiff, like Niobe's. But I am certainly going to buy you. What is his price?

Hermes Two hundred and forty dollars.

Buyer Here it is.

Hermes Are you the sole purchaser?

Buyer Dear me, no. All these people are with me.

Hermes There are plenty of them, and strong in the shoulder. They are fit for "the Mower."

Current edition Perseus

Χρύσιππος ὃ δὲ μέγιστον, ἢν ἐθέλω, τάχιστά σε ἀποδείξω λίθον.

Ἀγοράστης πῶς λίθον; οὐ γὰρ Περσεὺς σύ, ὦ βέλτιστε, εἶναί μοι δοκεῖς.

Χρύσιππος ὧδέ πως· ὁ λίθος σῶμά ἐστι;

Ἀγοράστης ναί.

Χρύσιππος τί δέ; τὸ ζῷον οὐ σῶμα;

Ἀγοράστης ναί.

Χρύσιππος σὺ δὲ ζῷον;

Ἀγοράστης ἔοικα γοῦν.

Χρύσιππος λίθος ἄρα εἶ σῶμα ὤν.

Ἀγοράστης μηδαμῶς. ἀλλʼ ἀνάλυσόν με πρὸς τοῦ Διὸς καὶ ἐξ ὑπαρχῆς ποίησον ἄνθρωπον.

Χρύσιππος οὐ χαλεπόν· ἀλλʼ ἔμπαλιν ἴσθι ἄνθρωπος. εἰπὲ γάρ μοι, πᾶν σῶμα ζῷον;

Ἀγοράστης οὔ.

Χρύσιππος τί δέ; λίθος ζῷον;

Ἀγοράστης οὔ.

Χρύσιππος σὺ δὲ σῶμα εἶ;

Ἀγοράστης ναί.

Χρύσιππος σῶμα δὲ ὢν ζῷον εἶ;

Ἀγοράστης ναί.

Χρύσιππος οὐκ ἄρα λίθος εἶ ζῷόν γε ὤν.

Ἀγοράστης εὖ γε ἐποίησας, ὡς ἤδη μου τὰ σκέλη καθάπερ τῆς Νιόβης ἀπεψύχετο καὶ πάγια ἦν. ἀλλὰ ὠνήσομαί γε σέ. πόσον ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ καταβαλῶ;

Ἑρμῆς μνᾶς δώδεκα.

Ἀγοράστης λάμβανε.

Ἑρμῆς μόνος δὲ αὐτὸν ἐώνησαι;

Ἀγοράστης μὰ Δίʼ, ἀλλʼ οὗτοι πάντες οὓς ὁρᾷς.

Ἑρμῆς πολλοί γε καὶ τοὺς ὤμους καρτεροὶ καὶ τοῦ θερίζοντος ἄξιοι.

STOIC But the great thing is that if I wish I can turn you into a stone forthwith.

BUYER How will you turn me into a stone? You are not a Perseus, I think, my dear fellow.

STOIC In this way. Isa stone a substance?

BUYER Yes.

STOIC And how about this—is not an animal a substance?

BUYER Yes.

STOIC And you are an animal?

BUYER So it appears, anyhow.

STOIC Then you are a substance, and therefore a stone!

BUYER Don’t say that! Distribute my middle, for Heaven’s sake, and make me a man again.

STOIC That is not difficult. Be a man once more!—Tell me, is every substance an animal?

BUYER No.

STOIC Well, is a stone an animal?

BUYER No.

STOIC You are a substance?

BUYER Yes.

STOIC But even if you are a substance, you are an animal.

BUYER Yes.

STOIC Then you are not a stone, being an animal.

BUYER Thank you kindly; my legs were already as cold and solid as Niobe’s. Iwill buy you. (Zo uunmes.) How much have I to pay for him?

HERMES Twelve minas.

BUYER Here you are.

HERMES Are you the sole purchaser?

BUYER No, indeed; there are all these men whom you see.

HERMES Yes, there are many of them, heavy-shouldered fellows, fit associates for the Reaper.

Chrysippus It cripples; it ties the tongue, and turns the brain. Nay, I have but to will it, and you are stone this instant.

Seventh Dealer Stone! You are no Perseus, friend?

Chrysippos

If you like, I will give you an extreme example, and prove in a twinkling that you are a stone.

Buyer

How a stone? You do not look to me like Perseus with the Gorgon's head, my friend.

Chrysippos

This is the way. Is the stone a body?

Buyer

Yes.

Chrysippos

Well, is not a living creature a body?

Buyer

Yes.

Chrysippos

But you are a living creature?

Buyer

Certainly, I have that appearance.

Chrysippos

Then you are a stone, for you are a body.

Buyer

Heaven forbid! In Zeus' name, release me and make me a man again!

Chrysippos

That is easy; be a man once more. For, tell me, is every body a living creature?

Buyer

No.

Chrysippos

Well, is a stone a living creature?

Buyer

No.

Chrysippos

But you are a body?

Buyer

Yes.

Chrysippos

And being a body you are a living creature?

Buyer

Yes.

Chrysippos

Then you are not a stone, because you are a living creature.

Buyer

Thank you. My legs were getting lifeless already and stiff, like Niobe's. But I am certainly going to buy you. What is his price?

Hermes

Two hundred and forty dollars.

Buyer

Here it is.

Hermes

Are you the sole purchaser?

Buyer

Dear me, no. All these people are with me.

Hermes

There are plenty of them, and strong in the shoulder. They are fit for "the Mower."

Χρύσιππος

ὃ δὲ μέγιστον, ἢν ἐθέλω, τάχιστά σε ἀποδείξω λίθον.

Ἀγοράστης

πῶς λίθον; οὐ γὰρ Περσεὺς σύ, ὦ βέλτιστε, εἶναί μοι δοκεῖς.

Χρύσιππος

ὧδέ πως· ὁ λίθος σῶμά ἐστι;

Ἀγοράστης

ναί.

Χρύσιππος

τί δέ; τὸ ζῷον οὐ σῶμα;

Ἀγοράστης

ναί.

Χρύσιππος

σὺ δὲ ζῷον;

Ἀγοράστης

ἔοικα γοῦν.

Χρύσιππος

λίθος ἄρα εἶ σῶμα ὤν.

Ἀγοράστης

μηδαμῶς. ἀλλʼ ἀνάλυσόν με πρὸς τοῦ Διὸς καὶ ἐξ ὑπαρχῆς ποίησον ἄνθρωπον.

Χρύσιππος

οὐ χαλεπόν· ἀλλʼ ἔμπαλιν ἴσθι ἄνθρωπος. εἰπὲ γάρ μοι, πᾶν σῶμα ζῷον;

Ἀγοράστης

οὔ.

Χρύσιππος

τί δέ; λίθος ζῷον;

Ἀγοράστης

οὔ.

Χρύσιππος

σὺ δὲ σῶμα εἶ;

Ἀγοράστης

ναί.

Χρύσιππος

σῶμα δὲ ὢν ζῷον εἶ;

Ἀγοράστης

ναί.

Χρύσιππος

οὐκ ἄρα λίθος εἶ ζῷόν γε ὤν.

Ἀγοράστης

εὖ γε ἐποίησας, ὡς ἤδη μου τὰ σκέλη καθάπερ τῆς Νιόβης ἀπεψύχετο καὶ πάγια ἦν. ἀλλὰ ὠνήσομαί γε σέ. πόσον ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ καταβαλῶ;

Ἑρμῆς

μνᾶς δώδεκα.

Ἀγοράστης

λάμβανε.

Ἑρμῆς

μόνος δὲ αὐτὸν ἐώνησαι;

Ἀγοράστης

μὰ Δίʼ, ἀλλʼ οὗτοι πάντες οὓς ὁρᾷς.

Ἑρμῆς

πολλοί γε καὶ τοὺς ὤμους καρτεροὶ καὶ τοῦ θερίζοντος ἄξιοι.

STOIC

But the great thing is that if I wish I can turn you into a stone forthwith.

BUYER

How will you turn me into a stone? You are not a Perseus, I think, my dear fellow.

STOIC

In this way. Isa stone a substance?

BUYER

Yes.

STOIC

And how about this—is not an animal a substance?

BUYER

Yes.

STOIC

And you are an animal?

BUYER

So it appears, anyhow.

STOIC

Then you are a substance, and therefore a stone!

BUYER

Don’t say that! Distribute my middle, for Heaven’s sake, and make me a man again.

STOIC

That is not difficult. Be a man once more!—Tell me, is every substance an animal?

BUYER

No.

STOIC

Well, is a stone an animal?

BUYER

No.

STOIC

You are a substance?

BUYER

Yes.

STOIC

But even if you are a substance, you are an animal.

BUYER

Yes.

STOIC

Then you are not a stone, being an animal.

BUYER

Thank you kindly; my legs were already as cold and solid as Niobe’s. Iwill buy you. (Zo uunmes.) How much have I to pay for him?

HERMES

Twelve minas.

BUYER

Here you are.

HERMES

Are you the sole purchaser?

BUYER

No, indeed; there are all these men whom you see.

HERMES

Yes, there are many of them, heavy-shouldered fellows, fit associates for the Reaper.

Chrysippus

It cripples; it ties the tongue, and turns the brain. Nay, I have but to will it, and you are stone this instant.

Seventh Dealer

Stone! You are no Perseus, friend?

Chrysippus

See here. A stone is a body?

Seventh Dealer

Yes.

Chrysippus

Well, and an animal is a body?