86 J^OCRATES. 



best ol all is the illustrious Socrates, whose memor)^ is embalmed with 

 peculiar odor, and whose influence perennius arc, will live and spread 

 with the imperishable literature of Greece. His claim to the highest 

 rank assigned him is unquestionable, whether we regard the unblemish- 

 ed integrity of his life, his extraordinary wisdom, the purity and eleva- 

 tion of his opinions, his enlarged and warm benevolence, his disinterest- 

 ed zeal and firm devotion in promoting the happiness of his fellow men, 

 his fixed tenacity of purpose, the remarkable modesty and unaffected 

 simplicity with which he prosecuted his investigations, his simple heart- 

 ed love for truth, or the close harmony of many of the doctrines which 

 he taught with that better wisdom now shed upon our souls by light 

 from above. His image, in its grandeur unequalled, rises above all oth- 

 ers furnished by the resplendent pages of classical antiquity. In Socra- 

 tes, head, heart and hand — reason, feeling and action were all combined, 

 duly proportioned and perfectly harmonized. Not to admire a charac- 

 ter so symmetrical and complete were impossible ; the best of the an- 

 cients have united in doing honor to his memory, and the most distin- 

 guished of modern poets declares — 



"Him, well inspired the oracle pronounced 

 Wisest of men !" 



Referring to a Delphia response delivered during his life time, that 



"Sophocles was wise, Euripides wiser, 

 But Socrates wisest of all." 



In the opinion of Cicero, (Tusc. Qufcst.) it was Socrates, who first 

 brought down philosophy from the skies to dwell upon earth, made her 

 even an inmate of our habitations, applied her divine doctrines to the 

 common purposes of life and directed her researches to the real interests 

 of men in the pursuit of the highest attainable happiness. 



"Tutor of Athens ! he in every street 



Dealt priceless treasure : goodness his delight, 



Wisdom his wealth, and glory his reward. 



Deep through the human heart, with playful skill 



Plis simple question stole; as into truth, 



And serious deeds he smiled the laughing race ; 



Taught moral happy life, whate'er can bless 



Or grace mankind ; and v.'hat he taught he was." 



Xenophon and Plato, the most celebrated of his pupils, have record- 

 ed the actions, sayings and opinions of this venerable sage, and to them 

 are we indebted for the knowledge we possess in reference to him. 



Socrates lived in the age of Pericles, the golden era of Grecian litera- 

 ture, and was on tcuii.s of mtimacy with the most gifted son;? of genius 



