Roman fabulist Phaedrus told how the ancient Greek songwriter Simonides, sailing home after a highly lucrative musical tour of Asia, had been caught in a storm and shipwrecked. While the other passengers loaded themselves with their treasures, Simonides leapt into the waters saying that he had all he needed, and was one of the few who made it ashore.

The survivors had few possessions between them, and what they had was stolen by robbers. Simonides did not suffer much, because a wealthy fan spotted him and gave him a place to stay; but the other shipwrecked mariners had to beg in the streets. Simonides reminded them that he had always said he had all he needed.

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