IX. PLOTINOS AS GUARDIAN AND ARBITRATOR.

There were women who were very much attached to him. There was his

boarding house keeper Gemina, and her daughter, also called Gemina;

there was also Amphiclea, wife of Aristo, son of Jamblichus, all

three of whom were very fond of philosophy. Several men and women

of substance, being on the point of death, entrusted him with their

boys and girls, and all their possessions, as being an irreproachable

trustee; and the result was that his house was filled with young boys

and girls. Among these was Polemo, whom Plotinos educated carefully;

and Plotinos enjoyed hearing Polemo recite original verses (?).

He used to go through the accounts of the managers with care, and

saw to their economy; he used to say that until these young people

devoted themselves entirely to philosophy, their possessions should

be preserved intact, and see that they enjoyed their full incomes.

The obligation of attending to the needs of so many wards did not,

however, hinder him from devoting to intellectual concerns a continuous

attention during the nights. His disposition was gentle, and he was

very approachable by all who dwelt with him. Consequently, although he

dwelt full twenty-six years in Rome, and though he was often chosen as

arbitrator in disputes, never did he offend any public personage.

Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 1 In Chronological Order, Grouped in Four Periods · 第 101 / 467 题