Lucian Soleocista 11

Lycinus

Now, can you tell me the difference between ‘setting’ and ‘sitting,’ or between ‘be seated ’ and ‘sit’?

Purist

No; but I have heard you say that ‘sit yourself’ is a barbarism,;

Lycinus

Yes, quite so; but now I tell you that ‘be seated ’ is not the same as ‘sit.’

Purist

Why, what may the difference be?

Lycinus

When a man is on his legs, you can only tell him to be seated; but if he is seated already, you can tell him to sit still. Sit where thou art; we find us seats: elsewhere. It means ‘remain sitting,’ you see. Here again we have to say that it is a mistake to reverse the expressions. And as to ‘set’ and ‘sit,’ surely it is the whole difference between transitive and intransitive?