Herillus's Life
I. Herillus, a native of Carthage, said that the chief good was knowledge; that is to say, the always conducting one’s self in such a way as to refer everything to the principle of living according to knowledge, and not been misled by ignorance. He also said that knowledge was a habit not departing from reason in the reception of perceptions.
I. Herillus of Carthage said that the highest good was knowledge. By this he meant always living according to knowledge and not being misled by ignorance. He also said that knowledge was a habit of receiving perceptions without departing from reason.
On one occasion, he said that there was no such thing as a chief good, but that circumstances and events changed it, just as the same piece of brass might become a statue either of Alexander or of Socrates. And that besides the chief good or end (τέλος), there was a subordinate end (ὑποτελίς) different from it. And that those who were not wise aimed at the latter; but that only the wise man directed his views to the former. And all the things between virtue and vice he pronounced indifferent.
On one occasion, he said there was no fixed chief good. Circumstances and events changed what it was, just as the same piece of brass could become a statue of Alexander or Socrates. He also said that, besides the chief good or end (τέλος), there was a different, subordinate end (ὑποτελίς). Those who were not wise aimed at the subordinate end, but only the wise aimed at the chief good. He also declared all things between virtue and vice indifferent.
“Ὑποτελὶς, a term Herillus uses in Diogenes Laërtius for a person’s natural talents, etc. These should all be subordinate to achieving the chief good.” L. & S. in voc.
II. His books contain but few lines, but they are full of power, and contain arguments in opposition to Zeno.
II. His books are short, but powerful, and contain arguments against Zeno.
III. It is said, that when he was a boy, many people were attached to him; and as Zeno wished to drive them away, he persuaded him to have his head shaved, which disgusted them all.
III. It is said that many people were fond of him when he was a boy. Zeno wanted to drive them away, so he persuaded the boy to shave his head. This disgusted them all.
IV. His books are these. One on Exercise; one on the Passions; one on Opinion; the Lawgiver; the Skilful Midwife; the Contradictory Teacher; the Preparer; the Director; the Mercury; the Medea; a book of Dialogues; a book of Ethical Propositions.
IV. His books are as follows: one on Exercise, one on the Passions, one on Opinion, the Lawgiver, the Skillful Midwife, the Contradictory Teacher, the Preparer, the Director, the Mercury, the Medea, a book of Dialogues, and a book of Ethical Propositions.