Ἑρμείας

This philosopher [was] agreeable by nature and upright in his character. Having studied philosophy under the great Syrianus,¹ in industry he was inferior to no one of his companions, nor even of his former fellow-student Proclus² who later became [the successor]³ – nor [did he lack] love⁴ of learning such things as philosophy offers truly worthy of love. He was⁵ very shrewd and acute [...] so that he is said to have sworn to Aigyptos,⁶ who was dying, that his soul⁷ was immortal and imperishable. This bold declaration was enabled by his good life which denied the nature of the body and turned into itself and already at once perceived the separation [sc. of body and soul] and the immortality [of the soul]. For he was more deficient than accurate in that which concerns speaking, but well-practiced in virtue, so that not even Momus himself would find fault, nor either would envy hate him. Such gentleness was in the man and such righteousness.⁸ For example, if he bought something from the dealers (this commonly happened with books), the seller being a common man, if it happened thus, would ask a price less than the value, but Hermeias would correct his mistake, and saying that the book was worth more he would give that much, not loving a bargain like other people, nor supposing that he was doing nothing wrong if he as a willing buyer made a purchase for any amount from a willing seller.⁹ [He believed] that there was a kind of ambush and deceit in the matter, not one which speaks falsehood, but one which keeps quiet about the truth, so that it escaped most people’s notice that it was injustice, not forcible, but larcenous, not committing a risky theft like a highwayman, but although permitted by law nevertheless overthrowing justice. Such a man was Hermeias.