human
And do you, I demanded, as the last named was brought forth,
gpt
I generally do so for the amusement of my friends, answered he.
human
But do not think that my stock is exhausted; I have still a few more that I can show you--for instance, Pythagoras.
gpt
Pythagoras! exclaimed I;
human
My dear friend, said the little man, with unusual gravity,
gpt
I do say so. Pythagoras was a fool, a madman, an impostor.
human
You don't speak thus of the divine Pythagoras?
gpt
No, not of the divine Pythagoras, for such a person never existed. I speak of Pythagoras the Samian--him of the golden thigh, the founder of what is called the Pythagorean philosophy.
human
And the most rational system of philosophy that ever existed. Begging your pardon, I think it goes far beyond that of Plato or the Stagyrite.
gpt
If you mean that it goes beyond them in being as full of absurdity as they are of wisdom, I really agree with you,
human
Pray, what were its absurdities?
gpt
Did not Pythagoras enjoin silence to his disciples for a period of five years,--absolute silence, muteness, dumbness?
human
And a very good injunction it was. No man can be philosopher unless he knows how to keep his tongue under a restraint.
gpt
I am afraid, then, _you_ will never be one,