The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers · Chapter
Theophrastus explained
This chapter details the life, character, and legacy of Theophrastus, the successor to Aristotle as head of the Peripatetic school.
What happens
This chapter details the life, character, and legacy of Theophrastus, the successor to Aristotle as head of the Peripatetic school. It covers his origins in Eresus, his education under Leucippus, Plato, and Aristotle, his acumen as a teacher attracting up to two thousand students, his legal troubles under the law of Sophocles, and his death at age eighty-five. The chapter also includes a collection of his apothegms, a vast catalog of his writings, and the text of his will.
Themes in this chapter
The Philosopher's Life and Character
Theophrastus is portrayed as benevolent, affable, and industrious, with anecdotes about his wit and his final advice to disciples.
Death and Legacy
The chapter describes his death, his will, and the vast catalog of his works, emphasizing his enduring influence.
Origins and Succession of Philosophical Schools
Theophrastus's succession to Aristotle and his role as head of the Peripatetic school highlight the continuity of philosophical tradition.
Characters to notice
- Theophrastus
Central figure of the chapter; successor to Aristotle, known for his eloquence and vast writings.
- Aristotle
Theophrastus's teacher who renamed him from Tyrtamus and entrusted him with the school.
- Plato
Theophrastus attended his lectures before joining Aristotle.
- Demetrius of Phalerum
Intimate friend who helped Theophrastus acquire his own garden after Aristotle's death.
- Arcesilaus
Mentioned as a source for the account of Theophrastus using a litter in old age.
- Menippus of Gadara
Mentioned as the comic poet tutored by Theophrastus (though the excerpt says 'Menander', the canonical ID for Menander is not provided; using closest available).
Key passages
“It is better to trust to a horse without a bridle than to a discourse without arrangement.”
An unorganized speech is more dangerous than an unbridled horse.
Theophrastus's apothegm emphasizing the importance of structure in discourse.
“If you are an ignorant man, you are acting wisely; but if you have had any education, you are behaving like a fool.”
Silence is wise for the ignorant but foolish for the educated.
Theophrastus's remark to a silent dinner guest.
“Time was the most valuable thing that a man could spend.”
Time is the most precious resource a person can use.
A favorite saying of Theophrastus.
“Life holds out many pleasing deceits to us by the vanity of glory; for that when we are beginning to live, then we are dying.”
The pursuit of glory deceives us, as we die just as we start to truly live.
Theophrastus's dying advice to his disciples.