The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

ANECDOTE

ALEXANDER the Great, in his conquest of India, took ten of the Indian philosophers, who had done the Macedonians much mischief. These men, because they go stark naked, are called Gymnosophists: and are reputed to be very sharp and quick in their answers to whatever is propounded to them, which he made a trial of: withal letting them know, that those whose answers were not pertinent should be put to death, of which he made the eldest of them judge. The first being asked which he thought most numerous, the Dead or the Living: answered the Living. Of the second he desired to know whether the sea or land produced the largest beast? who told him the land: for the sea was part of it. His question to the third was, which was the craftiest animal? that he said which mankind was not acquainted with. He bid the fourth tell him, what arguments he used to Sabas, to persuade him to revolt? No other, says he, than that he should win with honour, or perish in the attempt. Of the fifth he asked, which was eldest, night or day? He replied, day was eldest, by one at least. Of the sixth, he asked, What a man should do to be exceedingly beloved? He must be powerful, said he, without making himself too much feared. Of the seventh he asked, How a man might be a God? He replied, If I could do that which was impossible for men to do. This eighth told him, that life was stronger than death, because it supported so many miseries. And the last being asked, How long he thought it decent for a man to live? said, Till death appeared more desirable than life. Then Alexander turned to him who he had made judge, and commanded him to give sentence. All that I can determine, said he, is that they have every one answered worse than another. No, that they have not, says the King; but, however, thou shalt die first, because thou judgest so ill. You will not deal so with me, replied the Gymnosophist, if you intend to be as good as your word; which was, that he should die first which answered worst, which I have not done, for you have not asked me any question. In conclusion, he gave them presents, and dismissed them.