Stoicism - College of Stoic Philosophers

126 STOICISM.there were, no doubt, false prophets and pretendedseekers after wisdom, but their existence testifies tothe wide-spread interest in moral studies, and to theunfeigned desire on the part of very many to find arule of life,and listen to any preacher who seemedto have a message for his fellow-men. Among themthere were many, doubtless, like Demonax, whomLucian, satirist as he was, described in the most enthusiasticterms, as irreproachable in private life,simple in manners, winning in his words, consummatein his knowledge, and while incliningto the Stoicsystem, yet so full of tenderness and sympathy as toseem to take in the whole of the human race in hisaffection.The Athenians, among whom he lived, felt so muchveneration for him that when he passed by, eventhemagistrates rose up to do him honour ;and in hislater years he made his home each night in any housewhere he happened to go in, and the inmates gladlywelcomed him as though some good genius hadhonoured them with his presence. When he died hewas buried by the Slate with every honour, and thestone seat where it had been his wont to sit wascrowned with flowers, and regarded as a holy placefor time to come.