135 



SOCRATES. NO. 11. 



The philosophy of Socrates forms an interesting epoch in the history 

 of the human mind. Although Thales, Bion and Anaxagoras delivered 

 many excellent truths before him, he may be considered as the first 

 teacher of ethical science. He has been designated by Cicero (de oral- 

 Lib. I. C. 10), as the perennial source of philosophy. From him the 

 fundamental points of the leading philosophic sects originally pro- 

 ceeded : 



" From whose mouth issued forth 



Mellifluous streams, that watered all the schools 



Of Academies, Old and New. " 



He acted, in a certain sense, the part of ^ physician for Greek phil- 

 osophy about to perish from inanition, and his influence was felt even in 

 schools which differed most materially from his ethical doctrines. He 

 called philosophy from those obscure and intricate physical inquiries in 

 which she had been involved by the founders and followers of the Ionic 

 sect. He desired, that men should not entangle themselves in vain sub- 

 tilities and fruitless investigations. He took correct views of the pow- 

 ers and wants of human nature, and turned his attention to that true 

 philosophy, whose object is to enlighten the mind and improve the heart. 

 His examinations were directed to the nature of vice and virtue, of good 

 and evil : all science, which did not tend to the happiness of man, by 

 regulating his conduct in society, was contemptible. He taught, as far 

 as uninspired reason could teach, a true and spiritual religion. He be- 

 lieved most firmly in the existence of one supreme eternal and invisible 

 God, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, infinitely wise, just and good, 

 who created the universe, governs the world, hears prayer, gives wis- 

 dom to those asking it of Him, and who will reward the truly pious, 

 by the everlasting enjoyment of himself in a future life, and punish the 

 wicked in an after state. Wrong should be avoided as odious to the di- 

 vine nature, the beautiful, the good, the honorable and true are to 

 be sought after and followed as harmonizing with the divine nature. 

 The God he loved could only be served by sincere virtue ; in what- 

 ever form worshipped, He looked not so much at the outward as at 

 the inward state and habit of the soul ; the heart being more regarded 

 than the most costly sacrifices : alluding, on a certain occasion, with 

 high encomium to an oracular response, which declared, that God loved 

 the thanksgivings of the Lacedcemonians better than all the sumptuous 

 offerings of the Greeks ; he said : It is absurd to think that the Deity, like 

 a false judge, can be bribed by presents. The duty of prayer he, at all 

 times, inculcated, and he furnished his disciples with a most beautiful 



