The Logos Scripture · Gospel of Xenophon

The Healing of the Tyrant's Slave

Gospel of Xenophon 3 · First Witness: Justice, the Citizen, and Duty

This book is written as a record. Where there are numbers, dates, and names, they are set down as they were.

3.1In those days a wealthy local magistrate brought his household slave into the marketplace.

3.2The woman was named Chloe. She had broken an ivory vase of great price.

3.3She faced a cruel whipping, and her whole body was paralysed with terror.

3.4Socrates stopped the magistrate and asked him:

3.5"If a flute-player carelessly cracked her reed, would you break her fingers, or would you teach her to play better?"

3.6The magistrate answered: "I would teach her to play better."

3.7Socrates turned, and with the authority of the highest reason said to Chloe:

3.8"Your master owns your flesh, but he cannot lay a finger on your mind."

3.9"Straighten your back, Chloe. In the sight of the Logos there is no slave and no master — only souls that are learning to fly."

3.10At these words the paralysis of fear went out of her limbs in an instant.

3.11She rose with the bearing of a queen.

3.12The magistrate, shamed by the prophet's logic, threw down his whip and gave her her freedom.

3.13That magistrate never became a disciple. He was only ashamed that one day. I set it down as it was.