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As； for instance； Plato； the comic poet； introduces a character who
questions him…
〃Tell me； if you please；
Since you're the Chiron who taught Pericles。〃
Pericles； also； was a hearer of Zeno； the Eleatic； who treated of
natural philosophy in the same manner as Parmenides did； but had
also perfected himself in an art of his own for refuting and silencing
opponents in argument； as Timon of Phlius describes it…
〃Also the two…edged tongue of mighty Zeno； who；
Say what one would； could argue it untrue。〃
But he that saw most of Pericles； and furnished him most
especially with a weight and grandeur of sense； superior to all arts
of popularity； and in general gave him his elevation and sublimity
of purpose and of character； was Anaxagoras of Clazomenae； whom the
men of those times called by the name of Nous； that is； mind； or
intelligence； whether in admiration of the great and extraordinary
gift he had displayed for the science of nature； or because that he
was the first of the philosophers who did not refer the first ordering
of the world to fortune or chance； nor to necessity or compulsion； but
to a pure； unadulterated intelligence； which in all other existing
mixed and compound things acts as a principle of discrimination； and
of combination of like with like。
For this man； Pericles entertained an extraordinary esteem and
admiration； and filling himself with this lofty and； as they call
it； up…in…the…air sort of thought； derived hence not merely； as was
natural； elevation of purpose and dignity of language； raised far
above the base and dishonest buffooneries of mob eloquence； but；
besides this； a composure of countenance； and a serenity and
calmness in all his movements； which no occurrence whilst he was
speaking could disturb； a sustained and even tone of voice； and
various other advantages of a similar kind； which produced the
greatest effect on his hearers。 Once； after being reviled and
ill…spoken of all day long in his own hearing by some vile and
abandoned fellow in the open market…place； where he was engaged in the
despatch of some urgent affair。 He continued his business in perfect
silence； and in the evening returned home composedly； the man still
dogging him at the heels； and pelting him all the way with abuse and
foul language； and stepping into his house； it being by this time
dark； he ordered one of his servants to take a light； and to go
along with the man and see him safe home。 Ion； it is true； the
dramatic poet； says that Pericles's manner in company was somewhat
over…assuming and pompous； and that into his high…bearing there
entered a good deal of slightingness and scorn of others； he
reserves his commendation for Cimon's ease and pliancy and natural
grace in society。 Ion； however； who must needs make virtue； like a
show of tragedies； include some comic scenes； we shall not
altogether rely upon； Zeno used to bid those who called Pericles's
gravity the affectation of a charlatan； to go and affect the like
themselves； inasmuch as this mere counterfeiting might in time
insensibly instil into them a real love and knowledge of those noble
qualities。
Nor were these the only advantages which Pericles derived from
Anaxagoras's acquaintance； he seems also to have become； by his
instructions； superior to that superstition with which an ignorant
wonder at appearances； for example； in the heavens； possesses the
minds of people unacquainted with their causes； eager for the
supernatural； and excitable through an inexperience which the
knowledge of natural causes removes； replacing wild and timid
superstition by the good hope and assurance of an intelligent piety。
There is a story； that once Pericles had brought to him from a
country farm of his a ram's head with one horn； and that Lampon； the
diviner； upon seeing the horn grow strong and solid out of the midst
of the forehead； gave it as his judgment； that； there being at that
time two potent factions； parties； or interests in the city； the one
of Thucydides and the other of Pericles； the government would come
about to that one of them in whose ground or estate this token or
indication of fate had shown itself。 But that Anaxagoras； cleaving the
skull in sunder； showed to the bystanders that the brain had not
filled up its natural place； but being oblong； like an egg； had
collected from all parts of the vessel which contained it in a point
to that place from whence the root of the horn took its rise。 And
that； for that time； Anaxagoras was much admired for his explanation
by those that were present； and Lampon no less a little while after；
when Thucydides was overpowered； and the whole affairs of the state
and government came into the hands of Pericles。
And yet； in my opinion； it is no absurdity to say that they were
both in the right； both natural philosopher and diviner； one justly
detecting the cause of this event； by which it was produced； the other
the end for which it was designed。 For it was the business of the
one to find out and give an account of what it was made； and in what
manner and by what means it grew as it did； and of the other to
foretell to what end and purpose it was so made； and what it might
mean or portend。 Those who say that to find out the cause of a prodigy
is in effect to destroy its supposed signification as such； do not
take notice； that； at the same time； together with divine prodigies；
they also do away with signs and signals of human art and concert； as；
for instance； the clashings of quoits； fire…beacons； and the shadows
of sun…dials； every one of which has its cause； and by that cause
and contrivance is a sign of something else。 But these are subjects；
perhaps； that would better befit another place。
Pericles； while yet but a young man； stood in considerable
apprehension of the people； as he was thought in face and figure to be
very like the tyrant Pisistratus； and those of great age remarked upon
the sweetness of his voice； and his volubility and rapidity in
speaking； and were struck with amazement at the resemblance。
Reflecting； too； that he had a considerable estate； and was
descended of a noble family； and had friends of great influence； he
was fearful all this might bring him to be banished as a dangerous
person； and for this reason meddled not at all with state affairs； but
in military service showed himself of a brave and intrepid nature。 But
when Aristides was now dead； and Themistocles driven out； and Cimon
was for the most part kept abroad by the expeditions he made in
parts out of Greece； Pericles； seeing things in this posture； now
advanced and took his side； not with the rich and few； but with the
many and poor； contrary to his natural bent； which was far from
democratical； but； most likely fearing he might fall under suspicion
of aiming at arbitrary power； and seeing Cimon on the side of the
aristocracy； and much beloved by the better and more distinguished
people； he joined the party of the people； with a view at once both to
secure himself and procure means against Cimon。
He immediately entered； also； on quite a new course of life and
management of his time。 For he was never seen to walk in any street
but that which led to the market…place and council…hall； and he
avoided invitations of friends to supper； and all friendly visiting
and intercourse whatever； in all the time he had to do with the
public； which was not a little； he was never known to have gone to any
of his friends to a supper； except that once when his near kinsman
Euryptolemus married； he remained present till the ceremony of the
drink…offering； and then immediately rose from table and went his way。
For these friendly meetings are very quick to defeat any assumed
superiority； and in intimate familiarity an exterior of gravity is
hard to maintain。 Real excellence； indeed； is most recognized when
most openly looked into； and in really good men； nothing which meets
the eyes of external observers so truly deserves their admiration；
as their daily common life does that of their nearer friends。
Pericles； however； to avoid any feeling of commonness； or any
satiety on the part of the people