Croesus and Solon
In olden times—long, long before the coming of Christ—there reigned over a certain country a great king called Croesus. He had much gold and silver, and many precious stones, as well as numberless soldiers and slaves. Indeed, he thought that in all the world there could be no happier man than himself.
But one day there chanced to visit the country which Croesus ruled a Greek philosopher named Solon. Far and wide was Solon famed as a wise man and a just; and, inasmuch as his fame had reached Croesus also, the king commanded that he should be conducted to his presence.
Seated upon his throne, and robed in his most gorgeous apparel, Croesus asked of Solon: “Have you ever seen aught more splendid than this?”
“Of a surety have I,” replied Solon. “Peacocks, cocks, and pheasants glitter with colours so diverse and so brilliant that no art can compare with them.”
Croesus was silent as he thought to himself: “Since this is not enough, I must show him something more, to surprise him.”
So he exhibited the whole of his riches before Solon’s eyes, as well as boasted of the number of foes he had slain, and the number of territories he had conquered. Then he said to the philosopher:
“You have lived long in the world, and have visited many countries. Tell me whom you consider to be the happiest man living?”
“The happiest man living I consider to be a certain poor man who lives in Athens,” replied Solon.
The king was surprised at this answer, for he had made certain that Solon would name him himself; yet, for all that, the philosopher had named a perfectly obscure individual!
“Why do you say that?” asked Croesus.
“Because,” replied Solon, “the man of whom I speak has worked hard all his life, has been content with little, has reared fine children, has served his city honourably, and has achieved a noble reputation.”
When Croesus heard this he exclaimed:
“And do you reckon my happiness as nothing, and consider that I am not fit to be compared with the man of whom you speak?”
To which Solon replied:
“Often it befalls that a poor man is happier than a rich man. Call no man happy until he is dead.”
The king dismissed Solon, for he was not pleased at his words, and had no belief in him.
“A fig for melancholy!” he thought. “While a man lives he should live for pleasure.”
So he forgot about Solon entirely.
Not long afterwards the king’s son went hunting, but wounded himself by a mischance, and died of the wound. Next, it was told to Croesus that the powerful Emperor Cyrus was coming to make war upon him.
So Croesus went out against Cyrus with a great army, but the enemy proved the stronger, and, having won the battle and shattered Croesus’ forces, penetrated to the capital.
Then the foreign soldiers began to pillage all King Croesus’ riches, and to slay the inhabitants, and to sack and fire the city. One soldier seized Croesus