On this occasion Alexander commended both the words and the men who spoke2 them; but nevertheless he did just the opposite to that which he commended. When also in the Isthmus3 he met Diogenes of Sinope, lying in the sun, standing4 near him with his shield-bearing guards and foot Companions, he asked if he wanted anything. But Diogenes said that he wanted nothing else, except that he and his attendants would stand out of the sunlight. Alexander is said to have expressed his admiration5 of Diogenes’s conduct.832 Thus it is evident that Alexander was not entirely6 destitute7 of better feelings; but be was the slave of his insatiable ambition. Again, when he arrived at Taxila and saw the naked sect8 of Indian philosophers, he was exceedingly desirous that one of these men should live with him; because he admired their power of endurance.833 But the oldest of the philosophers, Dandamis by name, of whom the others were disciples9, refused to come himself to Alexander, and would not allow the others to do so.834 He is said to have replied that he was himself a son of Zeus, if Alexander was835; and that he wanted nothing from him, because he 372was quite contented10 with what he had. And besides he said that he saw his attendants wandering over so much of the land and sea to no advantage, and that there was no end to their many wanderings. Therefore he had no desire that Alexander should give him anything which was in his own possession, nor on the other hand was he afraid that he should be excluded from anything which Alexander ruled over. For while he lived the country of India, which produces the fruits in their season, was sufficient for him; and when he died he should be released from the body, an unsuitable associate. Alexander then did not attempt to force him to come with him, considering that the man was free to do as he pleased. But Megasthenes has recorded that Calanus, one of the philosophers of this region, who had very little power over his desires, was induced to do so; and that the philosophers themselves reproached him, for having deserted11 the happiness existing among them, and serving another lord instead of the God.
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1 sages | |
n.圣人( sage的名词复数 );智者;哲人;鼠尾草(可用作调料) | |
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2 spoke | |
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说 | |
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3 isthmus | |
n.地峡 | |
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4 standing | |
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
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5 admiration | |
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
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6 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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7 destitute | |
adj.缺乏的;穷困的 | |
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8 sect | |
n.派别,宗教,学派,派系 | |
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9 disciples | |
n.信徒( disciple的名词复数 );门徒;耶稣的信徒;(尤指)耶稣十二门徒之一 | |
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10 contented | |
adj.满意的,安心的,知足的 | |
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11 deserted | |
adj.荒芜的,荒废的,无人的,被遗弃的 | |
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