Page:The stoic philosophy; (IA stoicphilosophy01murr).pdf/28

24 cesses to opposite conclusions. Many modern philosophers, from Kant to Dr. Schiller and Mr. Bertrand Russell, have followed respectfully in their footsteps. But Zeno had no patience with this sort of thing. He wanted to get to business.

Also he was a born fighter. His dealings with opponents who argued against him always remind me of a story told of the Duke of Wellington when his word was doubted by a subaltern. The Duke, when he was very old and incredibly distinguished, was telling how once, at mess in the Peninsula, his servant had opened a bottle of port, and inside found a rat. “It must have been a very large bottle,” remarked the subaltern. The Duke fixed him with his eye. “It was a damned small bottle.” “Oh,” said the