There once lived in Greece a very wise man whose name was Socrates. Young men from all parts of the land went to him to learn wisdom① from him； and he said so many pleasant things， and said them in so delightful② a way， that no one ever grew tired of listening to him.
One summer he built himself a house， but it was so small that his neighbors wondered how he could be content③ with it.
“What is the reason，” asked they， “that you， who are so great a man， should build such a little box as this for your dwelling④ house？”
“Indeed， there may be little reason，” said he， “but， small as the place is， I shall think myself happy if I can fill even it with true friends.”
① wisdomn. 智慧，才智，明智
② delightfuladj. 令人愉快的，令人高兴的，可爱的
③ contentadj. 满足的，满意的，甘愿的
④ dwellingn. 住处，住宅，寓所
苏格拉底和他的房子
从前，在希腊有一个非常聪明的人，他就是苏格拉底。全国各地的年轻人都来投奔他，向他学习聪明智慧，他向他们讲了许多开心的事情，并且讲述的方式非常生动，所以听的人都不会感到厌烦。
有一个夏天，他为自己建造了一所房子。房子非常小，以至于他的邻居都很纳闷，这房子怎么能够令他满意呢？
于是他们问道：“您这么一个大人物，却把自己的房子盖成这么一个小盒子，有什么道理吗？”
“确实没有什么道理。”他回答道，“不过这个地方虽然很小，但是如果我能使它容下真正的朋友，那么我将会认为自己是快乐的。”