Whereupon Hermogenes inquired: Had he then a large amount of
money?[17]

[17] i.e. "out at interest," or, "in the funds," as we should say.

Not one sixpence:[18] that I swear to you (he answered).

[18] Lit. "not an obol" = "a threepenny bit," circa.

Herm. Then you possess large property in land?

Ant. Enough, I daresay, for the youngster there, Autolycus, to dust
himself withal.[19]

[19] i.e. "to sprinkle himself with sand, after anointing." Cf.
Lucian, xxxviii., "Amor." 45.

Well, we will lend you our ears, when your turn comes (exclaimed the
others).

Soc. And do you now tell us, Charmides, on what you pride yourself.

Oh, I, for my part, pride myself on poverty (he answered).

Upon my word, a charming business! (exclaimed Socrates). Poverty! of
all things the least liable to envy; seldom, if ever, an object of
contention;[20] never guarded, yet always safe; the more you starve
it, the stronger it grows.