This book is a collection of texts dealing with the life and works ofthe three philosophers: "Aristotle, Plato and Socrates".

Socrates was born atAthens 468 B. C... In the early part of his life, he wrought at his trade, sofar as to earn a decent subsistence. Receiving a small property at his father'sdeath, when he was about thirty years of age, he devoted himself entirely tophilosophical pursuits. His habits were simple and economical; his dress wascoarse, and he seldom wore shoes. By his frugality, he was thus able to livewithout labor, and yet without being dependent upon others...

When Socrates grew up inthe city of Athens, in the generation just after the Persian Wars, any Atheniancitizen, however poor he might be, was at liberty to arrange his own life as hewished. Socrates made up his mind that moneymaking was not worth while, incomparison with the liberty to spend his time in thinking about truth...