This was what was said and this was the agreement which was made, almost in
these words. Well, after this the trading - ships took their departure, and it
was no longer possible for me to take mine, when Dionysios, if you please,
addressed me with the remark that half the property must be regarded as
belonging to Dion and half to his son. Therefore, he said, he would sell it,
and when it was sold would give half to me to take away, and would leave half
on the spot for the son. This course, he said, was the most just. This
proposal was a blow to me, and I thought it absurd to argue any longer with
him; however, I said that we must wait for Dion's letter, and then once more
write to tell him of this new proposal. His next step was the brilliant one of
selling the whole of Dion's property, using his own discretion with regard to
the manner and terms of the sale and of the purchasers. He spoke not a word to
me about the matter from beginning to end, and I followed his example and
never talked to him again about Dion's affairs; for I did not think that I
could do any good by doing so. This is the history so far of my efforts to
come to the rescue of philosophy and of my friends.