2–3
POLLUX
If we judge from these details at any rate, he should be easy to find.
DIOGENES
May I send a piece of advice to these Philosophers also?
POLLUX
Yes; no difficulty with that either.
5
DIOGENES
Pass on a brief message to them to stop their foolish talk and their bickering about the universe, and making each other grow horns, Philosophers’ quibbles. Cf. Quintilian, I, 10, 5. For (1) vide Gellius, 18, 2, 8. “What you have not lost, you have; you have not lost horns; therefore you have horns.” For (2) cf. Philosophies for Sale 22, “Suppose that a crocodile seizes your child . . . but promises to give it back, if you tell the crocodile correctly what it intends to do with the child; what answer will you give?” and composing puzzles about crocodiles, See previous note. and teaching the human mind to ask such insoluble riddles.
POLLUX
But they say I’m an uneducated ignoramus to cast aspersions on their wisdom.
DIOGENES
You tell them from me to go to the devil.
POLLUX
I’ll give this message too, Diogenes.
DIOGENES
And take this message to the rich men from us, my dearest Pollux. “Why do you guard your gold, you senseless fools? Why do you punish yourselves, counting interest, and piling talents on talents, when you must come here shortly with no more than a penny?” The obol put in the mouth of a corpse as Charon’s fare.
POLLUX
They shall have this message too.
