When we have occasion for a lamp, we trim it and fill it with oil. Anaxagoras having been often consulted by Pericles, and very advantageously, in the government of his country becoming old, and finding himself entirely neglected by his pupil and his former services forgotten, determined, by a total abstinence from food, to put an end to his existence; this being told to Pericles, he called upon and entreated him to desist from his purpose, as he had business requiring his assistance; but the philosopher being now near dying, answered, «O Pericles, et quibus lucerna opus est, infundunt oleum». Thus reproving him for his inattention, when he thought he should have no further occasion for his advice. The phrase thence became proverbial.
Fuente: Erasmo, 3663.
