43
A vile poet named Admetus told him that he had written an epitaph in a single line and had given instructions in his will to have it carved on his tomb- . stone. I may as well quote it exactly: Earth, in thy bosom receive Admetus’s husk; he’s a god now! Demonax said with a laugh: “The epitaph is so fine that I wish it were already carved!”
44
A man saw on the legs of Demonax a discoloration of the sort that is natural to old people, and enquired:
45
“What’s that, Demonax?”’ With a smile he said: “The ferryman’s toothmark!”
46
He, saw a Spartan beating a lave, and said: “Stop treating him as your equal!’
47
When a woman named Danae had a dispute with her brother, he said: “Go to law!
48
Though your name be Danae, you are not the daughter "of Acrisius (Lawless).” Whipping was a feature of the Spartan training.
49
Above all, he made war on those who cultivate philosophy in the spirit of vainglory and not in the spirit of truth. For example, on seeing a Cynic with cloak and wallet, but with a bar (hyperon) for a staff, who was making an uproar and saying that: he was the follower of Antisthenes, Crates, and Diogenes, Demonax said: “Don’t lie! You are. really a disciple of Barson (HyperidesPerhaps an unknown Cynic; but the name may be used just for the sake of the pun, without reference to a definite person.)!”
