Lucian of Samosata, Vitarum auctio, Emily James Smith (Translator), 27

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Hermes

Done.

Zeus

Whom have we still left?

Hermes

The sceptic here. Come forward, Pyrrhias, and be published as fast as you can. Most of the people have already stolen away, and there will be few buyers. All the same, who wants this fellow, too?

Buyer

I do. But first tell me, what is your line of knowledge?

Philosopher

Nothing.

Buyer

What do you mean by that?

Philosopher

That in my opinion nothing at all exists.

Buyer

Then are we nobody, too?

Philosopher

I don't even know that.

Buyer

Nor whether you happen to be somebody, either?

Philosopher

I am still more ignorant of that, by a good deal.

Buyer

What an uncertainty! But, tell me, what do you want with these balances?

Philosopher

I weigh arguments in them and get them even, and when I see them exactly equal and of the same weight, then I am ignorant which is the truer.

Buyer

What else are you clever at?

Philosopher

Everything, except chasing a runaway slave.

Buyer

Why can't you do that?

Philosopher

Because, good sir, I never appresee. hend.

Buyer

Of course. You do seem to be a slow, dull person. But what is the aim of your science?

Philosopher

Ignorance; neither to hear nor to apprehend.

Buyer

You mean, then, to be blind and deaf?

Philosopher

Yes, and incapable of judgment and sensation, and, in a word, the double of an earthworm.

Buyer

I must buy you for that. How much do you say he is worth?

Hermes

Twenty dollars.

Buyer

Here it is. What have you to say, fellow? Have I bought you?

Philosopher

Doubtful.

Buyer

Not at all. I have purchased you and paid the money.

Philosopher

I suspend my judgment about it and consider.

Buyer

You will follow me, as my slave should.

Philosopher

Who knows whether you are telling the truth?

Buyer

The salesman and the eighteen dollars and the by-standers.

Philosopher

Are there, then, any standing by?

Buyer

I will clap you into the mill in a moment, and persuade you by a vicious argument that I am your master.

Philosopher

Suspend your judgment about that.

Buyer

No, by Heaven, I have formed my opinion already!

Hermes

Here, stop your resistance and follow your purchaser. We will summon you again to-morrow, for we are going to put up the lives of the private citizens and artisans and tradesfolk.

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.) — 27 focus

Ἑρμῆς

εἶεν.

Ζεύς

τίς λοιπὸς ἡμῖν;

Ἑρμῆς

καταλείπεται ὁ Σκεπτικὸς¹ οὗτος. σὺ ὁ Πυρρίας πρόσιθι καὶ ἀποκηρύττου κατὰ τάχος. ἤδη μὲν ὑπορρέουσιν οἱ πολλοὶ καὶ ἐν ὀλίγοις ἡ πρᾶσις ἔσται. ὅμως δὲ τίς καὶ τοῦτον ὠνήσεται;

Ἀγοράστης

ἔγωγε. ἀλλὰ πρῶτον εἰπέ μοι, σὺ τί ἐπίστασαι;

Πύρρων

οὐδέν.

Ἀγοράστης

πῶς τοῦτο ἔφησθα;

Πύρρων

ὅτι οὐδὲν ὅλως εἶναί μοι δοκεῖ.

Ἀγοράστης

οὐδὲ ἡμεῖς ἄρα ἐσμέν τινες;

Πύρρων

οὐδὲ τοῦτο οἶδα.

Ἀγοράστης

οὐδὲ ὅτι σύ τις ὢν τυγχάνεις;

Πύρρων

πολὺ μᾶλλον ἔτι τοῦτο ἀγνοῶ.

Ἀγοράστης

ὢ τῆς ἀπορίας. τί δέ σοι τὰ σταθμία ταυτὶ βούλεται;

Πύρρων

ζυγοστατῶ ἐν αὐτοῖς τοὺς λόγους καὶ πρὸς τὸ ἴσον ἀπευθύνω, καὶ ἐπειδὰν ἀκριβῶς ὁμοίους τε καὶ ἰσοβαρεῖς ἴδω, τότε δὴ τότε ἀγνοῶ τὸν ἀληθέστερον.

Ἀγοράστης

τῶν ἄλλων δὲ τί ἂν πράττοις ἐμμελῶς;

Πύρρων

τὰ πάντα πλὴν δραπέτην μεταδιώκειν.

Ἀγοράστης

τί δὲ τοῦτό σοι ἀδύνατον;

Πύρρων

ὅτι, ὦγαθέ, οὐ καταλαμβάνω.

Ἀγοράστης

εἰκότως· βραδὺς γὰρ καὶ νωθής τις εἶναι δοκεῖς. ἀλλὰ τί σοι τὸ τέλος τῆς ἐπιστάσεως;

Πύρρων

ἡ ἀμαθία καὶ τὸ μήτε ἀκούειν μήτε ὁρᾶν.

Ἀγοράστης

οὐκοῦν καὶ τὸ τυφλὸς ἅμα καὶ κωφὸς εἶναι λέγεις;

Πύρρων

καὶ ἄκριτός γε προσέτι καὶ ἀναίσθητος καὶ ὅλως τοῦ σκώληκος οὐδὲν διαφέρων.

Ἀγοράστης

ὠνητέος εἶ διὰ ταῦτα. πόσου τοῦτον ἄξιον χρὴ φάναι;

Ἑρμῆς

μνᾶς Ἀττικῆς·

Ἀγοράστης

λάμβανε. τί φής, ὦ οὗτος; ἐώνημαι σε;

Πύρρων

ἄδηλον.

Ἀγοράστης

μηδαμῶς· ἐώνημαι γὰρ καὶ τἀργύριον κατέβαλον.

Πύρρων

ἐπέχω περὶ τούτου καὶ διασκέπτομαι.

Ἀγοράστης

καὶ μὴν ἀκολούθει μοι, καθάπερ χρὴ ἐμὸν οἰκέτην.

Πύρρων

τίς οἶδεν εἰ ἀληθῆ ταῦτα φής;

Ἀγοράστης

ὁ κῆρυξ καὶ ἡ μνᾶ καὶ οἱ παρόντες.

Πύρρων

πάρεισι γὰρ ἡμῖν τινες;

Ἀγοράστης

ἀλλʼ ἔγωγέ σε ἤδη ἐμβαλὼν ἐς τὸν μυλῶνα πείσω εἶναι δεσπότης κατὰ τὸν χείρω λόγον.

Πύρρων

ἔπεχε περὶ τούτου.

Ἀγοράστης

μὰ Δίʼ, ἀλλʼ ἤδη γε ἀπεφηνάμην.

Ἑρμῆς

σὺ μὲν παῦσαι ἀντιτείνων καὶ ἀκολούθει τῷ πριαμένῳ, ὑμᾶς δὲ εἰς αὔριον παρακαλοῦμεν· ἀποκηρύξειν γὰρ τοὺς ἰδιώτας καὶ βαναύσους καὶ ἀγοραίους βίους μέλλομεν.

Translations (2)

Philosophies for Sale Perseus (Lucian, Vol. 2. Harmon, Austin Morris, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1915.) — 27 focus

HERMES

Very well.

ZEUS

Whom have we left?

HERMES

This Sceptic is still on our hands. Reddy,¹ come here and be put up without delay. The crowd is already drifting away, and there will be but few at his sale. However,—who'll buy this one?

BUYER

I will. But first tell me, what do you know?

SCEPTIC

Nothing.

BUYER

What do you mean by that?

SCEPTIC

That in my opinion nothing at all exists.

BUYER

Then do not we exist?

SCEPTIC

I don’t even know that.

BUYER

Not even that you yourself exist?

SCEPTIC

I am far more uncertain about that.

BUYER

Oh, what a state of doubt? But what are these scales of yours for?

SCEPTIC

I weigh arguments in them and make them balance one another, and when I see they are precisely alike and equal in weight, then, ah! then I do not know which is the truer.

BUYER

What else can you do fairly well?

SCEPTIC

Everything except catch a runaway slave.

BUYER

Why can’t you do that?

SCEPTIC

Because, my dear sir, I am unable to apprehend anything.²

BUYER

Of course, for you look to be slow and lazy. But what is the upshot of your wisdom?

SCEPTIC

Ignorance, and failure of hearing and vision.

BUYER

Then you mean being both deaf and blind?

SCEPTIC

Yes, and devoid of judgement and feeling, and, in a word, no better than a worm.

BUYER

I must buy you for that reason. (Zo uenmes.) How much may I call him worth?

HERMES

An Attie mina.

BUYER

Here you are. (Yo scertic.) What have you to say, fellow? Have I bought you?

SCEPTIC

Doubtful.

BUYER

No, indeed, I have bought you and paid the price in cash.

SCEPTIC

I am suspending judgement on that point and thinking it over.

BUYER

Come now, fellow, walk along behind me as my servant should.

SCEPTIC

Who knows if what you say is true?

BUYER

The crier, the mina, and the men present.

SCEPTIC

Is there anyone here present?

BUYER

Come, I'll chuck you into the mill and convince you that I am your master, with sorry logic!

SCEPTIC

Suspend judgement on that point.

BUYER

No, by Heaven! I have already affirmed my judgement.

HERMES

(To scertic.) Stop hanging back and go with your buyer. (Zo the company.) We invite you all here to-morrow, for we intend to put up for sale the careers of laymen, workingmen, and tradesmen.

Sale of Creeds Perseus (The Works of Lucian of Samosata, Vol. 1. Fowler, Henry Watson and Fowler, Francis George, translators. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1905.) — 27 focus

Heraclitus

He is yours,

Zeus

What have we left?

Heraclitus

There is Scepticism. Come along, Pyrrhias, and be put up. Quick’s the word. The attendance is dwindling; there will be small competition. Well, who buys Lot 9?

Ninth Dealer

I. Tell me first, though, what do you know?

Scepticism

Nothing.

Ninth Dealer

But how’s that?

Scepticism

There does not appear to me to de anything.

Ninth Dealer

Are not we something?

Scepticism

How do I know that?

Ninth Dealer

And you yourself?

Scepticism

Of that I am still more doubtful.

Ninth Dealer

Well, you are in a fix! And what have you got those scales for?

Scepticism

I use them to weigh arguments in, and get them evenly balanced, They must be absolutely equal—not a feather-weight to choose between them; then, and not till then, can I make uncertain which is right.

Ninth Dealer

What else can you turn your hand to?

Scepticism

Anything; except catching a runaway.

Ninth Dealer

And why not that?

Scepticism

Because, friend, everything eludes my grasp.

Ninth Dealer

I believe you. A slow, lumpish fellow you seem to be. And what is the end of your knowledge?

Scepticism

Ignorance. Deafness. Blindness.

Ninth Dealer

What! sight and hearing both gone?

Scepticism

And with them judgement and perception, and all, in short, that distinguishes man from a worm.

Ninth Dealer

You are worth money!—What shall we say for him?

Heraclitus

Four pounds.

Ninth Dealer

Here it is, Well, fellow; so you are mine?

Scepticism

I doubt it.

Ninth Dealer

Nay, doubt it not! You are bought and paid for.

Scepticism

It is a difficult case.... I reserve my decision.

Ninth Dealer

Now, come along with me, like a good slave.

Scepticism

But how am I to know whether what you say is true?

Ninth Dealer

Ask the auctioneer. Ask my money. Ask the spectators.

Scepticism

Spectators? But can we be sure there are any?

Ninth Dealer

Oh, V'll send you to the treadmill. That will convince you with a vengeance that I am your master.

Scepticism

Reserve your decision.

Ninth Dealer

Too late. It is given.

Heraclitus

Stop that wrangling and go with your purchaser. Gentlemen, we hope to see you here again to-morrow, when we shall be offering some lots suitable for plain men, artisans, and shopkeepers.

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Hermes Done.

Zeus Whom have we still left?

Hermes The sceptic here. Come forward, Pyrrhias, and be published as fast as you can. Most of the people have already stolen away, and there will be few buyers. All the same, who wants this fellow, too?

Buyer I do. But first tell me, what is your line of knowledge?

Philosopher Nothing.

Buyer What do you mean by that?

Philosopher That in my opinion nothing at all exists.

Buyer Then are we nobody, too?

Philosopher I don't even know that.

Buyer Nor whether you happen to be somebody, either?

Philosopher I am still more ignorant of that, by a good deal.

Buyer What an uncertainty! But, tell me, what do you want with these balances?

Philosopher I weigh arguments in them and get them even, and when I see them exactly equal and of the same weight, then I am ignorant which is the truer.

Buyer What else are you clever at?

Philosopher Everything, except chasing a runaway slave.

Buyer Why can't you do that?

Philosopher Because, good sir, I never appresee. hend.

Buyer Of course. You do seem to be a slow, dull person. But what is the aim of your science?

Philosopher Ignorance; neither to hear nor to apprehend.

Buyer You mean, then, to be blind and deaf?

Philosopher Yes, and incapable of judgment and sensation, and, in a word, the double of an earthworm.

Buyer I must buy you for that. How much do you say he is worth?

Hermes Twenty dollars.

Buyer Here it is. What have you to say, fellow? Have I bought you?

Philosopher Doubtful.

Buyer Not at all. I have purchased you and paid the money.

Philosopher I suspend my judgment about it and consider.

Buyer You will follow me, as my slave should.

Philosopher Who knows whether you are telling the truth?

Buyer The salesman and the eighteen dollars and the by-standers.

Philosopher Are there, then, any standing by?

Buyer I will clap you into the mill in a moment, and persuade you by a vicious argument that I am your master.

Philosopher Suspend your judgment about that.

Buyer No, by Heaven, I have formed my opinion already!

Hermes Here, stop your resistance and follow your purchaser. We will summon you again to-morrow, for we are going to put up the lives of the private citizens and artisans and tradesfolk.

Current edition Perseus

Ἑρμῆς εἶεν.

Ζεύς τίς λοιπὸς ἡμῖν;

Ἀγοράστης ἔγωγε. ἀλλὰ πρῶτον εἰπέ μοι, σὺ τί ἐπίστασαι;

Πύρρων οὐδέν.

Ἀγοράστης πῶς τοῦτο ἔφησθα;

Πύρρων ὅτι οὐδὲν ὅλως εἶναί μοι δοκεῖ.

Ἀγοράστης οὐδὲ ἡμεῖς ἄρα ἐσμέν τινες;

Πύρρων οὐδὲ τοῦτο οἶδα.

Ἀγοράστης οὐδὲ ὅτι σύ τις ὢν τυγχάνεις;

Πύρρων πολὺ μᾶλλον ἔτι τοῦτο ἀγνοῶ.

Ἀγοράστης ὢ τῆς ἀπορίας. τί δέ σοι τὰ σταθμία ταυτὶ βούλεται;

Ἀγοράστης τῶν ἄλλων δὲ τί ἂν πράττοις ἐμμελῶς;

Πύρρων τὰ πάντα πλὴν δραπέτην μεταδιώκειν.

Ἀγοράστης τί δὲ τοῦτό σοι ἀδύνατον;

Πύρρων ὅτι, ὦγαθέ, οὐ καταλαμβάνω.

Ἀγοράστης εἰκότως· βραδὺς γὰρ καὶ νωθής τις εἶναι δοκεῖς. ἀλλὰ τί σοι τὸ τέλος τῆς ἐπιστάσεως;

Πύρρων ἡ ἀμαθία καὶ τὸ μήτε ἀκούειν μήτε ὁρᾶν.

Ἀγοράστης οὐκοῦν καὶ τὸ τυφλὸς ἅμα καὶ κωφὸς εἶναι λέγεις;

Πύρρων καὶ ἄκριτός γε προσέτι καὶ ἀναίσθητος καὶ ὅλως τοῦ σκώληκος οὐδὲν διαφέρων.

Ἀγοράστης ὠνητέος εἶ διὰ ταῦτα. πόσου τοῦτον ἄξιον χρὴ φάναι;

Ἑρμῆς μνᾶς Ἀττικῆς·

Ἀγοράστης λάμβανε. τί φής, ὦ οὗτος; ἐώνημαι σε;

Πύρρων ἄδηλον.

Ἀγοράστης μηδαμῶς· ἐώνημαι γὰρ καὶ τἀργύριον κατέβαλον.

Πύρρων ἐπέχω περὶ τούτου καὶ διασκέπτομαι.

Ἀγοράστης καὶ μὴν ἀκολούθει μοι, καθάπερ χρὴ ἐμὸν οἰκέτην.

Πύρρων τίς οἶδεν εἰ ἀληθῆ ταῦτα φής;

Ἀγοράστης ὁ κῆρυξ καὶ ἡ μνᾶ καὶ οἱ παρόντες.

Πύρρων πάρεισι γὰρ ἡμῖν τινες;

Ἀγοράστης ἀλλʼ ἔγωγέ σε ἤδη ἐμβαλὼν ἐς τὸν μυλῶνα πείσω εἶναι δεσπότης κατὰ τὸν χείρω λόγον.

Πύρρων ἔπεχε περὶ τούτου.

Ἀγοράστης μὰ Δίʼ, ἀλλʼ ἤδη γε ἀπεφηνάμην.

HERMES Very well.

ZEUS Whom have we left?

HERMES This Sceptic is still on our hands. Reddy, 1 come here and be put up without delay. The crowd is already drifting away, and there will be but few at his sale. However,—who'll buy this one?

BUYER I will. But first tell me, what do you know?

SCEPTIC Nothing.

BUYER What do you mean by that?

SCEPTIC That in my opinion nothing at all exists.

BUYER Then do not we exist?

SCEPTIC I don’t even know that.

BUYER Not even that you yourself exist?

Hermes

Done.

Zeus

Whom have we still left?

Hermes

The sceptic here. Come forward, Pyrrhias, and be published as fast as you can. Most of the people have already stolen away, and there will be few buyers. All the same, who wants this fellow, too?

Buyer

I do. But first tell me, what is your line of knowledge?

Philosopher

Nothing.

Buyer

What do you mean by that?

Philosopher

That in my opinion nothing at all exists.

Buyer

Then are we nobody, too?

Philosopher

I don't even know that.

Buyer

Nor whether you happen to be somebody, either?

Philosopher

I am still more ignorant of that, by a good deal.

Buyer

What an uncertainty! But, tell me, what do you want with these balances?

Philosopher

I weigh arguments in them and get them even, and when I see them exactly equal and of the same weight, then I am ignorant which is the truer.

Buyer

What else are you clever at?

Philosopher

Everything, except chasing a runaway slave.

Buyer

Why can't you do that?

Philosopher

Because, good sir, I never appresee. hend.

Buyer

Of course. You do seem to be a slow, dull person. But what is the aim of your science?

Philosopher

Ignorance; neither to hear nor to apprehend.

Buyer

You mean, then, to be blind and deaf?

Philosopher

Yes, and incapable of judgment and sensation, and, in a word, the double of an earthworm.

Buyer

I must buy you for that. How much do you say he is worth?

Hermes

Twenty dollars.

Buyer

Here it is. What have you to say, fellow? Have I bought you?

Philosopher

Doubtful.

Buyer

Not at all. I have purchased you and paid the money.

Philosopher

I suspend my judgment about it and consider.

Buyer

You will follow me, as my slave should.

Philosopher

Who knows whether you are telling the truth?

Buyer

The salesman and the eighteen dollars and the by-standers.

Philosopher

Are there, then, any standing by?

Buyer

I will clap you into the mill in a moment, and persuade you by a vicious argument that I am your master.

Philosopher

Suspend your judgment about that.

Buyer

No, by Heaven, I have formed my opinion already!

Hermes

Here, stop your resistance and follow your purchaser. We will summon you again to-morrow, for we are going to put up the lives of the private citizens and artisans and tradesfolk.

Ἑρμῆς

εἶεν.

Ζεύς

τίς λοιπὸς ἡμῖν;

Ἀγοράστης

ἔγωγε. ἀλλὰ πρῶτον εἰπέ μοι, σὺ τί ἐπίστασαι;

Πύρρων

οὐδέν.

Ἀγοράστης

πῶς τοῦτο ἔφησθα;

Πύρρων

ὅτι οὐδὲν ὅλως εἶναί μοι δοκεῖ.

Ἀγοράστης

οὐδὲ ἡμεῖς ἄρα ἐσμέν τινες;

Πύρρων

οὐδὲ τοῦτο οἶδα.

Ἀγοράστης

οὐδὲ ὅτι σύ τις ὢν τυγχάνεις;

Πύρρων

πολὺ μᾶλλον ἔτι τοῦτο ἀγνοῶ.

Ἀγοράστης

ὢ τῆς ἀπορίας. τί δέ σοι τὰ σταθμία ταυτὶ βούλεται;

Ἀγοράστης

τῶν ἄλλων δὲ τί ἂν πράττοις ἐμμελῶς;

Πύρρων

τὰ πάντα πλὴν δραπέτην μεταδιώκειν.

Ἀγοράστης

τί δὲ τοῦτό σοι ἀδύνατον;

Πύρρων

ὅτι, ὦγαθέ, οὐ καταλαμβάνω.

Ἀγοράστης

εἰκότως· βραδὺς γὰρ καὶ νωθής τις εἶναι δοκεῖς. ἀλλὰ τί σοι τὸ τέλος τῆς ἐπιστάσεως;

Πύρρων

ἡ ἀμαθία καὶ τὸ μήτε ἀκούειν μήτε ὁρᾶν.

Ἀγοράστης

οὐκοῦν καὶ τὸ τυφλὸς ἅμα καὶ κωφὸς εἶναι λέγεις;

Πύρρων

καὶ ἄκριτός γε προσέτι καὶ ἀναίσθητος καὶ ὅλως τοῦ σκώληκος οὐδὲν διαφέρων.

Ἀγοράστης

ὠνητέος εἶ διὰ ταῦτα. πόσου τοῦτον ἄξιον χρὴ φάναι;

Ἑρμῆς

μνᾶς Ἀττικῆς·

Ἀγοράστης

λάμβανε. τί φής, ὦ οὗτος; ἐώνημαι σε;

Πύρρων

ἄδηλον.

Ἀγοράστης

μηδαμῶς· ἐώνημαι γὰρ καὶ τἀργύριον κατέβαλον.

Πύρρων

ἐπέχω περὶ τούτου καὶ διασκέπτομαι.

Ἀγοράστης

καὶ μὴν ἀκολούθει μοι, καθάπερ χρὴ ἐμὸν οἰκέτην.

Πύρρων

τίς οἶδεν εἰ ἀληθῆ ταῦτα φής;

Ἀγοράστης

ὁ κῆρυξ καὶ ἡ μνᾶ καὶ οἱ παρόντες.

Πύρρων

πάρεισι γὰρ ἡμῖν τινες;

Ἀγοράστης

ἀλλʼ ἔγωγέ σε ἤδη ἐμβαλὼν ἐς τὸν μυλῶνα πείσω εἶναι δεσπότης κατὰ τὸν χείρω λόγον.

Πύρρων

ἔπεχε περὶ τούτου.

Ἀγοράστης

μὰ Δίʼ, ἀλλʼ ἤδη γε ἀπεφηνάμην.

HERMES

Very well.

ZEUS

Whom have we left?

HERMES

This Sceptic is still on our hands. Reddy,¹ come here and be put up without delay. The crowd is already drifting away, and there will be but few at his sale. However,—who'll buy this one?

BUYER

I will. But first tell me, what do you know?

SCEPTIC

Nothing.

BUYER

What do you mean by that?

SCEPTIC

That in my opinion nothing at all exists.

BUYER

Then do not we exist?

SCEPTIC

I don’t even know that.

BUYER

Not even that you yourself exist?

SCEPTIC

I am far more uncertain about that.

BUYER

Oh, what a state of doubt? But what are these scales of yours for?

SCEPTIC

I weigh arguments in them and make them balance one another, and when I see they are precisely alike and equal in weight, then, ah! then I do not know which is the truer.