The messengers went on until they came at last to the island of Rhodes.
There everybody was talking about King Cleobulus and his wonderful
wisdom. He had studied in all the great schools of the world, and there
was nothing that he did not know.
"Educate the children," he said; and for that reason his name is
remembered to this day.
When the messengers showed him the tripod, he said, "That is indeed
a beautiful piece of work. Will you sell it? What is the price?"
They told him that it was not for sale, but that it was to be given
to the wisest of the wise.
"Well, you will not find that man in Rhodes," said he. "He lives in
Corinth, [Footnote: Cor'inth.] and his name is Periander. [Footnote:
Per i an'der.] Carry the precious gift to him."
V
Everybody had heard of Periander, king of Corinth. Some had heard of
his great learning, and others had heard of his selfishness and
cruelty.
Strangers admired him for his wisdom. His own people despised him
for his wickedness.
When he heard that some men had come to Corinth with a very costly
golden tripod, he had them brought before him.
"I have heard all about that tripod," he said, "and I know why you are
carrying it from one place to another. Do you expect to find any man
in Corinth who deserves so rich a gift?"
"We hope that you are the man," said the messengers.
"Ha! ha I" laughed Periander. "Do I look like the wisest of the wise?
No, indeed. But in Lacedaemon [Footnote: Lacedaemon (_pro_. las e
de'mon).] there is a good and noble man named Chilon.[Footnote: Chilon
(_pro_. ki'lon).] He loves his country, he loves his fellow men, he
loves learning. To my mind he deserves the golden prize. I bid you
carry it to him."