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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

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