But we have time to spare—you might tell a friend like me the story of your start in philosophy; then I might perhaps, if it is not too late, begin now and join your school; you are my friends; you will not be exclusive?

Hermotimus If only you would, Lycinus! you will soon find out how much you are superior to the rest of men. I do assure you, you will think them all children, you will be so much wiser.

Lycinus Enough for me, if after twenty years of it I am where you are now.

Hermotimus Oh, I was about your age when I started on philosophy; I was forty; and you must be about that.

Lycinus Just that; so take and lead me on the same way; that is but right. And first tell me—do you allow learners to criticize, if they find difficulties in your doctrines, or must juniors abstain from that?

Hermotimus Why, yes, they must; but you shall have leave to ask questions and criticize; you will learn easier that way.

Lycinus I thank you for it, Hermotimus, by your name-God Hermes.

Now, is there only one road to philosophy—the Stoic way? they tell me there are a great many other philosophers; is that so?

Hermotimus Certainly—Peripatetics, Epicureans, Platonists, followers of Diogenes, Antisthenes, Pythagoras, and more yet.

Lycinus Quite so; numbers of them. Now, are their doctrines the same, or different?

Hermotimus Entirely different.

Lycinus But the truth, I presume, is bound to be in one of them, and not in all, as they differ?

Hermotimus Certainly.