Chilo

Was advanced in yean in the 52d Olympiad: hence we may conclude him to have flourished nearly at the same time with Pittacus.

Chilo flourished at Lacedsemonia, about the 52d Olympiad. He was a man of an equal and resolute mind, capable of bearmg prosperity or adversity with the same equanimity. He led a retired life, at home, and deemed that time the most misspent which was employed in travelling about. His conduct was a picture of perfect virtue: his practice was a faithful exemplification of his precepts. His silence and singular moderation caused him to be admired by every body. He regulated his life by one of his own maxims— 'That at all times a moderate pace was the safest. Towards the 55th Olympiad, he was made EphoTus. This dignity at Lacedsmonia served as a check upon the kingly power. His brother, who aspired to the office, became so jealous of him, that he could not help betraying the resentment he felt. Chilo coolly si^d to him, " I have been chosen, because I was imagined a fitter person than you to bear the injury of being drawn from the enjoyment of leisure, overwhelmed with business, and, in short, rendered a slave."

i2 CHILO,

Chilo muntmned that the art of diyination oagfat not to be wholly rejected, and that much of futurity might be penetrated by the sagacity of the human mind. One day, Hippocrates was sacrificing during the Olympic games. As soon as the flesh of the victims was put into cauldrons filled with cold water, the watef became hot all at once, and began to boil even to running over, although there was no fire under the cauldrons. Chilo, who was present, considered this prodigy attentively. He then advised Hippocrates never to marry, and ¥ ^nfortmjiately he were already man^^, to repudiate his wife without delay, and to destroy w^ateijveir children she might have brought hjju. Hippocrates turned his counsels into jest, aind was qo, way deterred by them from entering into marriage^ the jpffspfing of which was Pisistratus, who afterwards usurped the sovereignty of Atfaeus, his na^ve country. ^

Pn another occasion, Chilo, having attentively con« sldered the quidity of ^e soil and the situation o^ tlve island of ^ythera, suddenly exclaimed before all the spectators, '* Would to the, gods ^hat this isl^d had never existed, or th^t the waves had overwl^elmed it, as soon a^ it fi4^t.sy>peared above thi^mi:,for I fores^ that it will b^ the ruin of the I^aix^daemoiMan people!". Chilo was not deceived; title isl^d was^ taken by the Athenians some time after, and by them rendei'ed instrumental in desolatiug the country. x

ChUo use^ to say, that three things were difficult: to retain a secret, to endure injuries, and to employ time well. Chilo was brief and comprehensive in hit disooune; hence hb sayings became proverbs. Some of them were as follow:—

Threaten no one — ^threats are the weak arguments of women.

The greatest mark of wisdom is to know when to1»e sllent-^particalarly at festive meetings.

Never speak ill of any one; unless you are willing to be continually making enemies^ and to hear the most unpleasing things said of yourself in return.

Be more punctual in visiting your friends when they are in adversity, than when they are in prosperity.

It is better to suffer loss, than to gidn by ux^nst or dishonest transactions.

Flatter no man in his adversity.

A brave man ought always to be courteous, and to make himself respected rather than feared.

The best policy in a State, is to teach every citizen to regulate his own £uuily properly.

A man ought to choose a woman of simple habits for his wife, and not to celebrate his nuptials at an expense that may prove his ruin.

We try gold and silver by a toudistone, but they are themselves the touchstones by which we may try the hearts of men.

We ought to ei^oy every thing with moderation, in order to bear the loss of it with equanimity.

Neither love nor hatred last for ever. Love, therefore, as if you were one day to hate; and hate as if you were one day to love.

Chilo caused these words to be engraved in letters of gold, in the temple of ApoUo, at Delphos: "We ought never to set our wishes on objects too much

94 CiiiLO.

aboy^ uf. He who becximes security for another, never fails to lose."..

Periaihdiei: did every thing in his power to 4raw Chilo to Corinth, that he might profit by hi* Qounael liow to maintain himself in the soviereignty which he ba4 usurpecL. Chilo answerpd him in the foUowing terms:^^,

*^ Yieuwish to involve me in the troubles of war, and to make me live like an ezlUe for ^m my nf^ive country.; ^ If my doinjg so wopld any way cfwtribute to your security, -^ety iipon it, that th^re is nothing less certain than the greatness of Kipgs; and that he is the most fortunate of tyrants who has the happiness of dying in his bed."

When Chilo peroeived the end of hi|<4ywa days approachii^y he collected his fiiends araiM him, and thus Addressed. them: <' Myfrlends^^joalcnow that, dufing the time I, have been in ijh^ world, I have both said and dpne niuch. I have ddiberately reviewed all inypast life, and I find no action ^f whidi I needxepent,.except perhi^s in one Instance which I now wish to lay before yofi, in ocdertha^ I may.know whether I acted weU or ill in the. matter,—;rl happened.on^ to be one of three persons who had to sit in judgment on a partkidar frioid of mine, who according to l^e law had rendered lum-self amenable.to the punishment of death: 1 was Tpaxik embairassed to know how to act; 1.saw myself called upon to -condemn nty friend, or to violate the laws. After seriously reflecting op the case, 1 zesoived to have recourse to this ei^iedieat: L placed the; tt^gaments of the.accused in his defence in flo forcible a light, to my colleagues, that they felt themaelres called upon to acquit him; but I TOted for his death myself, according to my own view of the act, though without assigning any reason for my opinion. Thus I acquitted myself, as it then appeared to me, of my double duty — as friend and judge: but I have since felt something in my own bfeast, ydiich duflces me doubt whether my conduct was not criminal.''

Cliilo, loaded with years, died at Pisa, through excess of joy, whilst embracing his son on his return from the Olympic g^es, at which he had been crowned as victor. The Lacedemonians, after his death, erected a statae to his memory.