In [Sotion's book The Horn of Plenty] is found the following anecdote about the orator Demosthenes and the courtesan Lais: "Lais of Corinth," he says, "used to gain a great deal of money by the grace and charm of her beauty, and was frequently visited by wealthy men from all over Greece; but no one was received who did not give what she demanded, and her demands were extravagant enough." He says that this was the origin of the proverb common among the Greeks:
>Not every man may fare to Corinth town
for in vain would any man go to Corinth to visit Lais who could not pay her price. The great Demosthenes approached her secretly and asked for her favours. But Lais demanded ten thousand drachmas" [...]* "Amazed and shocked at the woman's great impudence and the vast sum of money demanded, Demosthenes turned away, remarking as he left her: 'I will not buy regret at such a price.' " But the Greek words which he is said to have used are neater; he said:
>I will not buy regret for ten thousand drachmas.
*One Drachma was about the average wage of a day-labourer
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