13
Fundanus
FUNDANUS. And, to begin with our food, it is no great hardship if we partake in silence of whatever is set before us and do not, by being repeatedly choleric and peevish, thrust upon ourselves and our friends the worst sauce for meat, anger. No more unpleasant supper could there beHomer, Od., xx. 392. than that wherein servants are beaten and wife is reviled because something is burned or smoked or not salted enough, or because the bread is too cold. Cf. Seneca, De Ira, ii. 25.
FUNDANUS. Arcesilaüs was once entertaining his friends and with them some foreign guests, and when dinner was served, there was no bread, since the slaves had neglected to buy any. In such a predicament which one of us would not have rent the walls asunder with outcries? But Arcesilaus merely smiled and said, How lucky it is that the wise man takes to the flowing bowl! There being no bread for the deipnon, the symposium will come earlier.
FUNDANUS. Once when Socrates took Euthydemus home with him from the palaestra, Xanthippe came up to them in a rage and scolded them roundly, finally upsetting the table. Cf. 471 b, infra, of Pittacus. Euthydemus, deeply offended, got up and was about to leave when Socrates said, At your house the other day did not a hen fly in and do precisely this same thing, yet we were not put out about it?
