Croesus and Solon (Tolstoy)
Division into chapters is editorial.
Croesus displays his wealth to Solon
In ancient times, long before Christ, there lived a great king named Croesus who ruled over a vast kingdom. He possessed immense wealth in gold, silver, and precious stones, along with countless soldiers and slaves.
Indeed, he thought that in all the world there could be no happier man than himself.
One day, a renowned Greek philosopher named Solon visited Croesus's kingdom. Solon was widely celebrated for his wisdom and justice, and his fame had reached even the king's ears.
Croesus commanded that Solon be brought before him. Seated upon his throne and dressed in his most magnificent robes, the king asked if Solon had ever seen anything more splendid. Solon replied that peacocks, cocks, and pheasants displayed colors so brilliant that no human art could match them. Disappointed by this response, Croesus then displayed all his riches and boasted of his military conquests.
Solons wisdom about true happiness
Confident that Solon would now acknowledge his supremacy, Croesus asked the philosopher to name the happiest man living. To the king's surprise, Solon answered that he considered a certain poor man living in Athens to be the happiest.
When Croesus demanded an explanation, Solon explained that this man had worked hard throughout his life, been content with little, raised fine children, served his city honorably, and achieved a noble reputation. The king was outraged and asked whether Solon considered his own happiness as nothing. Solon delivered his famous warning:
Often it befalls that a poor man is happier than a rich man. Call no man happy until he is dead.
Croesus dismissed Solon in displeasure, having no belief in the philosopher's words. The king thought to himself that while a man lives, he should live for pleasure, and he completely forgot about Solon's warning.
Tragedy strikes Croesus and his kingdom
Not long after Solon's departure, misfortune began to befall Croesus. First, his son went hunting but accidentally wounded himself and died from the injury.
Soon after, news reached Croesus that the powerful Emperor Cyrus was advancing with a great army to make war upon him. Croesus gathered his forces and marched out to meet the enemy, but Cyrus proved stronger in battle.
Cyrus won a decisive victory, shattered Croesus's army, and penetrated to the capital city. Foreign soldiers began pillaging the king's riches, slaying inhabitants, and setting fire to buildings. One soldier seized Croesus and was about to kill him when the king's son darted forward to defend his father, crying out that this was Croesus, the king. The soldiers bound Croesus and carried him to Emperor Cyrus, but the emperor was celebrating his victory and could not see the captive immediately. Orders were given for Croesus to be executed. In the city square, soldiers built a great funeral pyre, placed Croesus on top, bound him to a stake, and set it ablaze.
Croesus recognizes Solons wisdom and finds mercy
As the flames began to rise around him, Croesus gazed upon his burning city and ruined palace. In that moment of despair, he remembered the Greek philosopher's prophetic words and burst into tears.
Croesus gazed around him, upon his city and upon his palace. Then he remembered the words of the Greek philosopher, and, bursting into tears, could only say: 'Ah, Solon, Solon!'
Emperor Cyrus arrived to witness the execution and heard these mysterious words. He commanded that Croesus be removed from the pyre and asked what he had said. Croesus explained that he was naming a wise man who had told him a great truth of greater worth than all earthly riches and kingly glory. When Croesus related his conversation with Solon, the story touched Cyrus's heart. The emperor realized that he too was mortal and subject to the whims of fate. Moved by this wisdom, Cyrus showed mercy to Croesus and became his friend.