When I look into their faces they drop their eyes. I
am, in truth, a wonderful man, and if I say nothing they will believe
I am full of wisdom. Ah, here comes the schoolmaster; I shall frown
heavily and refuse to notice him, for then he also will be deceived
and think I am pondering upon matters of great import." Really, the
one wise thing about this Socrates was his ability to keep quiet. For,
saying no word, it was impossible he should betray his ignorance.
Singularly enough, over by the south gate of Gotham there dwelt
another wise man, of much the same appearance as Socrates. His white
beard was a trifle longer and he had lost his left eye, which was
covered by a black patch; but in all other ways his person betokened
as much wisdom as that of the other.
He did not walk about, being lazy and preferring his ease; but he
lived in a little cottage with one room, where the people came to
consult him in regard to all their troubles.
They had named him Sophocles, and when anything went wrong they would
say,
"Let us go and consult Sophocles, for he is very wise and will tell us
what to do."
Thus one man, who had sued his neighbor in the courts, became worried
over the outcome of the matter and came to consult the wise man.
"Tell me, O Sophocles!" he said, as he dropped a piece of money upon a
plate, "shall I win my lawsuit or not?"
Sophocles appeared to ponder for a moment, and then he looked at his
questioner with his one eye and replied,
"If it is not decided against you, you will certainly win your suit.
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