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But I know of at least six men who are famous for their wisdom, and one of them must be the wisest of the wise." "Who are they?" asked the messengers. "Their names are Thales, Bias, Pittacus, Cleobulus, Periander, and Chilon," answered Solon. "We have offered the prize to each one of them," said the messengers, "and each one has refused it."
They learned that Chilon was a very quiet man, that he never spoke about himself, and that he spent all his time in trying to make his country great and strong and happy. Chilon was so busy that the messengers had to wait several days before they could see him. At last they were allowed to go before him and state their business. "We have here a very beautiful tripod," they said.
"The oracle at Delphi has ordered that it shall be given to the wisest of wise men, and for that reason we have brought it to you." "You have made a mistake," said Chilon. He is my worst enemy, and yet I admire him as the wisest man in the world. It is to him that you should have taken the tripod." The messengers made due haste to carry the golden prize to Athens.
Tuscul., Verrius, Aristotle, Titus Livius, in his relation of the battle of Cannae, Plinius, lib. 7, cap. 32 and 34, A. Gellius, lib. 3, c. 15, and many other writers, to Diagoras the Rhodian, Chilon, Sophocles, Dionysius the tyrant of Sicily, Philippides, Philemon, Polycrates, Philistion, M. Juventi, and others who died with joy.
The first of them had the name of Solon, the second Chilon, the third Periander, the fourth Talus, the fifth Cleobulus, the sixth Bias, the seventh Pittacus. Pythagoras, being asked if he were considered to be a Wise Man, rejected this name, and stated himself to be not a Wise Man, but a Lover of Wisdom.
"Do I look like the wisest of the wise? No, indeed. To my mind he deserves the golden prize. I bid you carry it to him." The messengers were surprised. They had never heard of Chilon, for his name was hardly known outside of his own country. But when they came into Lacedaemon, they heard his praises on every side.
At 11:15, we passed the bridge over the stream on which Chilon is built, and a moment later drew up at the town-house. Here we regretted that our serious work with the Tzendals was done. We were received royally, and told that our house was ready. This was really so, a pretty little house of three good rooms having been cleaned and prepared for our use.
As soon as he was able to learn, Cato himself taught him his letters, although he had a clever slave named Chilon, who taught many children to read. He himself declares that he did not wish a slave to reprove his son or pull his ears because he was slow at learning.
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