The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers · Chapter
Book III: The Life, Will, and Legacy of Plato explained
This chapter details the final affairs of Plato, including his will, the epigrams on his tomb, and a list of his disciples.
What happens
This chapter details the final affairs of Plato, including his will, the epigrams on his tomb, and a list of his disciples. It also discusses the nature of his dialogues, his travels to Sicily, his interactions with Dionysius, and various anecdotes about his character and sayings. The chapter concludes with an account of his death and burial in the Academy.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Monimus’s feigned madness and destruction of the money is the emotional and psychological peak because it dram…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Death and Legacy
The chapter focuses on Plato's will, his tomb epigrams, and the enduring influence of his philosophical school.
- The Philosopher's Life and Character
Numerous anecdotes illustrate Plato's character, his views on truth, drunkenness, and his self-discipline.
Characters to notice
- Plato
Central figure; his will, death, and legacy are detailed, along with anecdotes about his character and teachings.
- Speusippus
Named as an executor of Plato's will and listed as a disciple.
- Xenocrates
Listed as a disciple; anecdote about Plato asking him to scourge a slave.
- Aristotle
Listed as a disciple; cited regarding the origin of dialogue form.
- Dionysius of Heraclea
Younger Dionysius of Sicily; Plato's interactions with him during his Sicilian travels are recounted.
- Archytas
Wrote a letter to Dionysius to secure Plato's safe return from Sicily.
Key passages
“If fav’ring Phoebus had not Plato given To Grecian lands, how would the learned God Have e’er instructed mortal minds in learning? But he did send him, that as Aesculapius His son’s the best physician of the body, So Plato should be of the immortal soul.”
If Apollo had not given Plato to Greece, the god would have had no way to teach mortals; he sent Plato as a healer of the soul, just as Aesculapius heals the body.
Epigram comparing Plato's role to that of a divine physician for the soul.
“Truth, my friend, is a beautiful and a durable thing; but it is not easy to persuade men of this fact.”
Truth is beautiful and lasting, but convincing people of this is difficult.
Plato's saying on the nature of truth, as recorded in his Laws.
“A man must first make a name, and the monument will follow.”
One should first establish a reputation; the memorial will come afterward.
Plato's response when asked about having a monument like his predecessors.
