Stilpo was a Philosopher of Megara and the most distinguished member of the
Megarean school. He was not only celebrated for his eloquence and skill in
dialectics, but for the success with which he applied to moral precepts of
philosophy to the correction of his natural propensities. Though in his youth he
had been much addicted to intemperance and licentious pleasures, after he had
ranked himself among philosophers he was never known to violate the laws of
sobriety or chastity. With respect to riches he exercised a virtuous moderation.
When Ptolemy Soter, at the taking of Megara, presented him with a large sum of
money, and requested him to accompany him to Egypt, he returned the greater part
of the present, and chose to retire, during Ptolemy's stay at Megara, to the
island of Aegina. Afterward, when Megara was again taken by Demetrius, son of
Antigonus, the conqueror ordered the soldiers to spare the house of Stilpo; and,
if anything should be taken from him in the hurry of the plunder, to restore it.
So great was the fame of Stilpo, that when he visited Athens, the people ran out
of their shops to see him, and even the most eminent philosophers of Athens took
pleasure in attending his discourses.