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[58]
14. If, then, they are to be blamed who suppress1
the truth, what are we to think of those who actually state what is false? Gaius Canius, a Roman
a man of considerable wit and literary culture, once went to Syracuse for a vacation, as he
himself used to say, and not for business. He gave
out that he had a mind to purchase a little country
seat, where he could invite his friends and enjoy
himself, uninterrupted by troublesome visitors.
When this fact was spread abroad, one Pythius, a
banker of Syracuse, informed him that he had such
an estate; that it was not for sale, however, but
Canius might make himself at home there, if he
pleased; and at the same time he invited him to the
estate to dinner next day. Canius accepted. Then
Pythius, who, as might be expected of a moneylender, could command favours of all classes, called
the fishermen together and asked them to do their
fishing the next day out in front of his villa, and
told them what he wished them to do. Canius came
to dinner at the appointed hour; Pythius had a
sumptuous banquet prepared; there was a whole
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fleet of boats before their eyes; each fisherman
brought in in turn the catch that he had made; and
the fishes were deposited at the feet of Pythius.
1 Concealment of truth vs. misrepresentation and falsehood.
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