This was the state of affairs when Plato arrived in Sicily, and at first he was received with wonderful demonstrations of kindness and respect. One of the royal chariots, magnificently decked out, was waiting to receive him as he stepped adhore, and the tyrant offered up a sacrifice of thanksgiving for the great blessing which had been granted to his government. The sobriety of the royal banquets, the decorous tone of the court, and the tolerance displayed by Dionysius [o tirano] himself in his dealings with the public, all combined to inspire the citizens with wondrous hopes of change.
The study of letters and philosophy became all fashion, and it is said that so many people began to study geometry that the very palace was filled with dust*.
Plutarco, Life of Dion 13
in The Age of Alexander, Penguin, Londres: 1973. (trad.: Ian Scott-Kilvert)
Notar como o estudo da geometria surge como a consequência natural da iniciação à filosofia. Definitivamente, enquanto não estudar matemática nunca poderei filosofar correctamente, ou, pelo menos, perceber Platão (é um pouco, fazendo a comparação, como estudar Pessoa, por exemplo A Mensagem, sem quaisquer conhecimentos sobre esoterismo, rosa-crucianos, templários e afins, como, no fundo, se faz no secundário — e por isso se estuda tão mal o livro).
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