Regum et imperatorum apophthegmata

A stranger professed that he would tell him privately and instruct him how to know beforehand those who were plotting against him, and Dionysus bade him speak; whereupon the stranger came close to him and said, Hand me a talent that you may give the impression that you have heard about the plotters’ secret signs; and Dionysius gave it, pretending that he had heard, and marvelling at the man’s clever tactics. [*](Cf. Polyaenus, v. 2. 3, and Stobaeus, Florilegium, iii. 65.)

To the man who inquired if he were at leisure he said, I hope that may never happen to me ! [*](Cf. Moralia, 792 C.)