Dialogue

   1     | above
   2 Text|             life, I with my eyes turned abroad like a bird yearning to
   3 Text|                us on this third venture abstain from words of ill omen.
   4 Text|                 to me, and I thought it absurd to argue any longer with
   5 Text|                 any connection with the abuses of the time.~Not long after
   6 Text|             consider as unmanly one who accepts the duty of giving such
   7 Text|               acts of plunder which are accompanied by impiety what heinous
   8 Text|                one or other of us as an accomplice in Dion’s conspiracy. With
   9 Text|             education, we have not been accustomed even to search for the truth,
  10 Text|                these were relatives and acquaintances of mine, and they at once
  11 Text|                 as intercourse made him acquainted with my disposition and
  12 Text|         possession of it, though how he acquired it-God wot, as the Theban
  13 Text|             life, as, for instance, the acquisition of property or the proper
  14 Text|               it was not possible to be active in politics without friends
  15 Text|               Do you agree to this?” he added, addressing Dionysios. “
  16 Text|                his love of glory was an additional incentive to him. The real
  17 Text|               agree to this?” he added, addressing Dionysios. “I agree,” he
  18 Text|                 appeared to me to admit adequately of writing and exposition,
  19 Text|              God should make Hipparinos adopt the same opinion as Dion
  20 Text|               for all time; but he will advance towards constitutional government
  21 Text|               his father, he had had no advantages in the way of education
  22 Text|              also, jointly with Dion, I advised Dionysios, bidding him in
  23 Text|               by giving notice to their adviser that he must leave the government
  24 Text|              now to say is this.~He who advises a sick man, whose manner
  25 Text|               of the weightiest matters affecting his own life, as, for instance,
  26 Text|         Sicilian Greeks, having set his affection on virtue in preference
  27 Text|              was not able to found them afresh and to establish in them
  28 Text|              send a friend of mine, the aged Socrates, whom I should
  29 Text|                the effect that Dion was aiming at the tyranny in all the
  30 Text|               in morals. These were the aims which Dionysios injured,
  31 Text|            assuming his most autocratic air he said, “To you I promised
  32 Text|               are not by nature kinship allied to justice and all other
  33 Text|               that he is not willing to allow my departure, and without
  34 Text|                 do not think that piety allows one to offer compulsion,
  35 Text|             friend of Dion, came as his ally to the court of Dionysios,
  36     | alone
  37     | already
  38 Text|               and unwritten, were being altered for the worse, and the evil
  39 Text|                 to the instances of the ambiguity from which each of the four
  40 Text|                possible, a long line of ancestors of good repute, and all
  41 Text|              truth always believe those ancient and sacred teachings, which
  42 Text|               have the best right to be angered with his murderers in much
  43 Text|            which has the name “round,” “annular,” or, “circle,” might be
  44 Text|              capable of overthrowing an antagonist gets the better of us, and
  45 Text|                 with no very favourable anticipations, as was natural enough.
  46 Text|                 have felt all manner of anxiety lest certain people should
  47 Text|          slavery, clothed her in bright apparel, and given her the garb
  48 Text|              pained. Again, if they had appeared to me to admit adequately
  49 Text|                and is the safest one to apply to those who live in luxury
  50 Text|               matters-while thirty were appointed rulers with full powers
  51 Text|               in this state of mind and apprehending that our fears might lead
  52 Text|                reduced me to a state of apprehension. But when-to summarise great
  53 Text|                 would take, was full of apprehension-for young men are quick in forming
  54 Text|                 entirely unaware of the approach of a storm, but might be
  55 Text|               studies is by which it is approached, and how much labour it
  56 Text|                 and that he should then appropriate it for himself and treacherously
  57 Text|                 small ones, he unjustly appropriates to his own State the possessions
  58 Text|                 at Athens, with persons approved by you, and let Dion enjoy
  59 Text|                 outside in the house of Archedemos during this period. While
  60 Text|                the voyage; he sent also Archedemos-one of those who had spent some
  61 Text|              and I thought it absurd to argue any longer with him; however,
  62 Text|            present subject. There is an argument which holds good against
  63 Text|             persuaded Dionysios by such arguments as I could to let me go;
  64 Text|                age for being comrade in arms to anyone; also I stand
  65 Text|               for himself that I should arrive post haste in person as
  66 Text|                 to quote. Other letters arrived from Archytes and the Tarentines,
  67 Text|               Hellas men whom they have ascertained to be the best for the purpose.
  68 Text|               Dionysios should turn him aside into some way of life other
  69 Text|                 the objects for which I asked it; or you would have thought
  70 Text|               and in a right course, it asks advice about any details
  71 Text|              universal disaster.~Dion’s aspiration however was the same that
  72 Text|                was not unaware that his assailants were thoroughly bad men,
  73 Text|               more to the peltasts then assembled.~A rumour soon spread that
  74 Text|             soldiers were furious, and, assembling in great numbers, declared
  75 Text|                 Eunuch; and to these he assigned portions of his empire,
  76 Text|            place. For Dion, who rapidly assimilated my teaching as he did all
  77 Text|                 is for the want of this assistance on your part that I have
  78 Text|                table and hearth and his associate in the acts of religion.
  79 Text|               Fixing his eye on me, and assuming his most autocratic air
  80 Text|              Greeks and Syracusans, who ate to repletion twice every
  81 Text|                of honours and wealth to attach myself to him, and with
  82 Text|              here now. And the disgrace attaching to your treatment of me
  83 Text|               were the facts about this attachment? I must tell the truth.
  84 Text|                 their resistance to the attacks of the barbarians, he would,
  85 Text|             under heaven could possibly attain to wisdom-human nature is
  86 Text|              you now, with good fortune attending you and with Heaven’s help,
  87 Text|              one which deserves careful attention on the part of those who
  88 Text|              through life with the same attitude of mind towards his country.
  89 Text|               he said, would be readily attracted towards the principles and
  90 Text|            would be most influential in attracting Dionysios in the same direction,
  91 Text|              opposite course of levying attribute for the barbarians. This
  92 Text|                  and to try with better auspices to carry out his wishes-what
  93 Text|               me, and assuming his most autocratic air he said, “To you I promised
  94 Text|                now some higher power or avenging fiend has fallen upon them,
  95 Text|            happen to him, or if he were banished by Dionysios and his other
  96 Text|                his unjust expulsion and banishment. Hearing this, I told him
  97 Text|             their grudge by combats and banishments and executions, and of wreaking
  98 Text|                 full as it was with the banquets of the Italian Greeks and
  99 Text|                 grow and will in future bear the bitterest harvest for
 100 Text|             post haste in person as the bearer of such tidings. When his
 101 Text|              colours, to the good, the, beautiful, the just, to all bodies
 102 Text|              the catastrophe that might befall a good ship’s captain, who
 103 Text|             Dion should regard what had befallen him not as an exile, but
 104 Text|           Carthaginians than that which befell them in Gelon’s time, whereas
 105 Text|                one-well and good. But I beg and entreat Dionysios that,
 106 Text|               accomplish so much on his behalf.”~When I heard this proposal
 107 Text|                of religion. He probably believed the current slanders, that
 108 Text|                worth mentioning at all, belongs to things soulless; but
 109 Text|               and when he has travelled beneath the earth on a journey which
 110 Text|           desire friendship and wish to benefit one another; so long as
 111 Text|               and mean natures that are bent upon seizing such gains
 112 Text|                but men “have themselves bereft him of his wits.”~Anyone
 113 Text|               every source whatever his bestial fancy supposes will provide
 114 Text|               to think that I should be betraying first and foremost my friendship
 115 Text|                had been laid waste, and bind them together by laws and
 116 Text|              them to draw up laws after binding themselves by oath to show
 117 Text|               eyes turned abroad like a bird yearning to fly from its
 118 Text|             does after much effort give birth in a well-constituted mind
 119 Text|                 will in future bear the bitterest harvest for those who brought
 120 Text|               here.” On hearing this he blazed up and turned all colours,
 121 Text|             anyone were really true. So blindfolding myself with this reflection,
 122 Text|                great hope that, without bloodshed, loss of life, and those
 123 Text|               just. This proposal was a blow to me, and I thought it
 124 Text|            throne, Dionysios put him on board a small boat and expelled
 125 Text|                put him on board a small boat and expelled him from Syracuse
 126 Text|       prejudicial to health, is clearly bound first of all to change his
 127 Text|                of exposition like other branches of knowledge; but after
 128 Text|               by a man who was just and brave and temperate and a philosopher,
 129 Text|             ground for action being the breach of faith to a guest-so he
 130 Text|                 slavery, clothed her in bright apparel, and given her the
 131 Text|         proposal. His next step was the brilliant one of selling the whole
 132 Text|              nothing of the sort. But I broke in and tried to encourage
 133 Text|                or turned on a lathe and broken up-none of which things
 134 Text|         offender must drag with him the burden of this impiety while he
 135 Text|                 despots-this my counsel but-to put it under the rule of
 136 Text|             told him what had occurred. Calling Zeus to be his witness,
 137 Text|                the majority both in its capacity for learning and in what
 138 Text|             place is one which deserves careful attention on the part of
 139 Text|               in making his escape into Carthaginian territory.~After this Dionysios
 140 Text|             complete subjugation of the Carthaginians than that which befell them
 141 Text|             sufficient importance to be causes of disgrace to this city,
 142 Text|          hoplites, nor because I had no cavalry for defence against my enemies,
 143 Text|                its circumference to its centre everywhere equal. Third,
 144 Text|                I said, there will be no cessation of evils for the sons of
 145 Text|     co-operation of Dionysios; but some chance, mightier than men, brought
 146 Text|           Syracuse-led there perhaps by chance-but it really looks as if some
 147 Text|               cities must be constantly changing, tyrannies, oligarchies
 148 Text|            which is set down in written characters.~Again you must learn the
 149 Text|                 the acropolis; but they charged straight for the walls,
 150 Text|            fourth month or thereabouts, charging Dion with conspiracy to
 151 Text|              once again I might~To fell Charybdis measure back my course,~
 152 Text|                have easily been kept in check by my wishes and influence.
 153 Text|            myself would sooner die than cherish. The wise man should go
 154 Text|         Dionysios thought that his long cherished scheme not to restore Dion’
 155 Text|               must by their own act and choice select from all Hellas men
 156 Text|               to straight as well as to circular form, to colours, to the
 157 Text|               has the distance from its circumference to its centre everywhere
 158 Text|                 journey which has every circumstance of shame and misery.~It
 159 Text|              something to which I had a claim. The effect on me was not
 160 Text|                 done so, things will be clearer with regard to my present
 161 Text|               prejudicial to health, is clearly bound first of all to change
 162 Text|              but throughout it all ever cleaving to philosophy and to such
 163 Text|                 single city, and was so clever that he trusted no one,
 164 Text|                 when he had reached the climax of victory over his enemies,
 165 Text|               things intelligence comes closest in kinship and likeness
 166 Text|             made an end of her slavery, clothed her in bright apparel, and
 167 Text|         attempted to carry out with the co-operation of Dionysios; but some chance,
 168 Text|                that was done, to be his coadjutor in all the details of his
 169 Text|                 view to giving a decent colour to Dion’s expulsion a witness
 170 Text|              temper, but a mere surface colouring of opinions penetrating,
 171 Text|             ill-feeling against Dion. I combated these as far as I could,
 172 Text|                 feeding their grudge by combats and banishments and executions,
 173 Text|                of such an extraordinary combination. Temperance also is out
 174 Text|          sending a trireme to ensure me comfort on the voyage; he sent also
 175 Text|              come they must entreat and command them to draw up laws after
 176 Text|               things of real worth, and committed to writing, then surely,
 177 Text|           misunderstanding among men by committing them to writing. In one
 178 Text|                 not only betrayed their companion and friend, but shared personally
 179 Text|              his restoration became his companions. Having come to Sicily,
 180 Text|            study, but with the ordinary companionship common among most friends,
 181 Text|              safer at that time to part company altogether with Dion and
 182 Text|               else is a trifling injury compared with this.~The murderer
 183 Text|               former government seem by comparison something precious as gold-for
 184 Text|                and I had every right to complain, whether I wished to do
 185 Text|             that it is his fault, if he complains of being poor. The same
 186 Text|            speak the truth, and make no complaint if anyone, after hearing
 187 Text|                after it he said, “If in compliance with our request you come
 188 Text|              one sees written treatises composed by anyone, either the laws
 189 Text|            about what he heard from me, composing what professes to be his
 190 Text|             hardly of the age for being comrade in arms to anyone; also
 191 Text|               Dionysios took fright and conceded all their demands and more
 192 Text|             visit. For these reasons he conceived a desire for more definite
 193 Text|           enquired if I had really been conferring with Theodotes on his invitation “
 194 Text|          teaching, was not likely to be confined to himself. Indeed, he saw
 195 Text|             place of a state war; in my conflict with the authors of these
 196 Text|             which often take directions conflicting with one another. But I
 197 Text|                 inform you from no mere conjecture but from positive knowledge.
 198 Text|      proceedings, and withdrew from any connection with the abuses of the time.~
 199 Text|             friends of others among his connections who were of the same age
 200 Text|             account stand in my way. He consented and allowed me to go, giving
 201 Text|              might lead to some serious consequence, he now tried to win all
 202 Text|              the case of a young man. I considered that they would, of course,
 203 Text|             which is opposed to this he consistently hates. Those who have not
 204 Text|    constitutions of such cities must be constantly changing, tyrannies, oligarchies
 205 Text|         knowledge of that which is well constituted. But if a man is ill-constituted
 206 Text|                 he will advance towards constitutional government and the framing
 207 Text|           answer. But if a man does not consult me at all, or evidently
 208 Text|              with a mistaken feeling of contempt, and others with lofty and
 209 Text|               thought yourself the most contemptible of mankind. But as it is,
 210 Text|              worthless, he will have to contend with many who say the opposite,
 211 Text|              swept in all directions by contending currents, my head finally
 212 Text|              with readiness, and do not content myself with giving him a
 213 Text|               heard from me; but of its contents I know nothing; I know indeed
 214 Text|            civil strife; but a constant continuance of internal disorders, struggles,
 215 Text|               came about that I did not continue my teaching in a second
 216 Text|             luxury and are incapable of continuous effort; it ensures that
 217 Text|                 had now been circulated contradicting the previous rumours and
 218 Text|            fashion, without knowing it, contriving the overthrow of the tyranny
 219 Text|               knowledge; but after much converse about the matter itself
 220 Text|                the conclusion that this conviction, which he himself had gained
 221 Text|               on the top of my previous convictions, I crossed over to Syracuse-led
 222 Text|                other like truths that I convinced Dion, and it is I who have
 223 Text|             with regard to all existing cornmunities, that they were one and
 224 Text|                been said with a view to counselling the friends and family of
 225 Text|             such men should order their counsellors to pander to their wishes
 226 Text|                  and, as fifth, we must count the thing itself which is
 227 Text|            which has involved Sicily in countless sorrows.~As to the steps
 228 Text|              that which is usual in the courts of despots.~After that event
 229 Text|              not have been safe; but in covert language we maintained that
 230 Text|           outrages than to do them. The covetous man, impoverished as he
 231 Text|              being all the while a poor creature, not master of himself,
 232 Text|               and orders several of his creatures to write to the same effect,
 233 Text|            reproaches of this kind what creditable reply could I have made?
 234 Text|                them those of the ships’ crews who came from Athens, my
 235 Text|          friends; and there is no surer criterion of virtue and vice than
 236 Text|              who can pull to pieces and criticise the four things. But in
 237 Text|                 previous convictions, I crossed over to Syracuse-led there
 238 Text|        unintelligible and ferocious war cry. Dionysios took fright and
 239 Text|                directions by contending currents, my head finally began to
 240 Text|               Plato,” here followed the customary greeting and immediately
 241 Text|            cowardice.~On my arrival, to cut a long story short, I found
 242 Text|         thinking it my duty to face all dangers, in case I was prevented
 243 Text|          definitions, sights, and other data of sense, are brought into
 244 Text|             sacrificial service for ten days in the garden in which I
 245 Text|                  Dion’s affairs will be dealt with in whatever way you
 246 Text|               in souls-from which it is dear that it is something different
 247 Text|           change in it under penalty of death-if such men should order their
 248 Text|                laborious prosecution of debauchery. It follows necessarily
 249 Text|                 with a view to giving a decent colour to Dion’s expulsion
 250 Text|             made against him, and if he decides that Heracleides must no
 251 Text|                 sacred teachings, which declare that the soul is immortal,
 252 Text|            assembling in great numbers, declared that they would not submit.
 253 Text|              pressed me urgently not to decline his invitation. But though
 254 Text|                I shall consider one who declines to advise such a patient
 255 Text|                 her for distributing by decrees the property of the few
 256 Text|         preferable to suffer iniquitous deeds rather than to do them;
 257 Text|             partner in their iniquitous deeds-seeing all these things and others
 258 Text|            because I had no cavalry for defence against my enemies, but
 259 Text|                Heracleides before us to defend himself on the charges which
 260 Text|                  or, “circle,” might be defined as that which has the distance
 261 Text|             conceived a desire for more definite instruction, and his love
 262 Text|              that I must put the matter definitely to the test to see whether
 263 Text|            After much effort, as names, definitions, sights, and other data
 264 Text|        proceed-when Dion had twice over delivered the city and restored it
 265 Text|              tyrannies, oligarchies and democracies succeeding one another,
 266 Text|               himself and treacherously depose Dionysios. These slanders
 267 Text|               power to take them out of deposit without the approval of
 268 Text|              funds which he receives be deposited in the Peloponnese and at
 269 Text|              should scarcely scruple to describe as the most upright man
 270 Text|                 friends. Dionysios, now deserting the policy of his father,
 271 Text|                 took place is one which deserves careful attention on the
 272 Text|                 remain, not thinking it desirable for himself that I should
 273 Text|               Dion and me again; and he desired that Dion should regard
 274 Text|                 test which is not to be despised and is well suited to monarchs,
 275 Text|                 you against him and his despotic rule; yet feelings of scruple
 276 Text|               is usual in the courts of despots.~After that event he came
 277 Text|            Sicily or any other State to despots-this my counsel but-to put it
 278 Text|              whether a man is or is not destitute of such friends.~This, then,
 279 Text|           Sicily which had been utterly destroyed by the barbarians, was not
 280 Text|              which will be fraught with destruction to himself and his descendants
 281 Text|                it may have become so by deterioration-not even Lynceus could endow
 282 Text|              would have been exposed to detraction, if any disgrace had come
 283 Text|                its perch, and he always devising some new way of scaring
 284 Text|                views. Now is not at all devoid of natural gifts for learning,
 285 Text|              know the things to which I devote myself, whether by hearing
 286 Text|              excel all mankind in their devotion to virtue and in hatred
 287 Text|             which I myself would sooner die than cherish. The wise man
 288 Text|              while he who obeyed me has died honourably. For the one
 289 Text|         philosophy and to such rules of diet in his daily life as will
 290 Text|               his own safety with great difficulty. For he was badly off for
 291 Text|             followed this discourse and digression will know well that, if
 292 Text|                 for taking vengeance on Dionysios-our ground for action being
 293 Text|                 strongly his desire was directed towards philosophy and education.
 294 Text|             that he is not incapable of directing his steps without the aid
 295 Text|        attracting Dionysios in the same direction, so that, now if ever, we
 296 Text|            arrival were those of strong disapproval-disapproval of the kind of life which
 297 Text|                 loss of life, and those disastrous events which have now taken
 298 Text|                it forth into a world of discord and uncomeliness. For he
 299 Text|            Anyone who has followed this discourse and digression will know
 300 Text|                pupil and listener to my discourses on philosophy, fearing the
 301 Text|                 to anyone who wishes to discover how things really happened,
 302 Text|                 others, or by their own discoveries-that according to my view it
 303 Text|                which were certainly not discreditable ones, to put myself under
 304 Text|                 property, using his own discretion with regard to the manner
 305 Text|                 were attempting to hold discussions with Dionysios on questions
 306 Text|         extraordinary course and proved disgraceful to its authors. The story
 307 Text|              This I said, because I was disgusted with my misguided journeyings
 308 Text|             power in the States by some dispensation of providence become true
 309 Text|                 are the masters and can display superior force; respect,
 310 Text|                 my own freedom from the displeasure of Zeus Xenios, and made
 311 Text|                has this property at his disposal, he will act justly towards
 312 Text|             made him acquainted with my disposition and character, he did become
 313 Text|              men that there should be a disquisition, as it is called, on this
 314 Text|              and the others are farther distant.~The same applies to straight
 315 Text|             pondered the matter in much distress. The first reflection that
 316 Text|           receives honours from her for distributing by decrees the property
 317 Text|            struggles, hatred and mutual distrust is the common lot of cities
 318 Text|               the evening, both greatly disturbed. Theodotes said, “Plato,
 319 Text|                of goodness and justice, divine as well as human, in this
 320 Text|         different, so he says, from the doctrines which he heard from me;
 321 Text|            invited me to share in their doings, as something to which I
 322 Text|              you cannot live the simple Dorian life according to the customs
 323 Text|              father’s empire not merely double what it was but many times
 324 Text|             entreat and command them to draw up laws after binding themselves
 325 Text|                king ought to be; for he drew up laws by which he has
 326 Text|                there is no sufficiently durable permanence in it. And there
 327 Text|                 neither excuse nor do I dwell upon it. For many others
 328 Text|              and he was extraordinarily eager about this sort of thing.
 329 Text|               in the soul, turns a deaf ear to this teaching; or if
 330 Text|             which we mentioned a little earlier, that, whereas there are
 331 Text|           likely either to fall on deaf ears or to lead to the loss of
 332 Text|                 and subduing others, an easier task for him than it was
 333 Text|             ready to my hand was not an easy matter, since public affairs
 334 Text|                 Dion attempted first to educate him and train him to be
 335 Text|        revolutionary government, namely eleven in the city and ten in the
 336 Text|              Finding some excuse for an embassy from their city, they sent
 337 Text|               you will not regard me as empowered to act for Dion, but will
 338 Text|                 had come to Athens were empty rumours. Now there is a
 339 Text|                 is by this that men are enabled to see what justice in public
 340 Text|                a special gift of yours, enabling you to lead young men into
 341 Text|              State.~When laws have been enacted, what everything then hinges
 342 Text|           should master themselves and, enacting impartial laws, framed not
 343 Text|                 I broke in and tried to encourage him, saying: “Be of good
 344 Text|           kindness: me in particular he encouraged, bidding me be of good cheer
 345 Text|    deterioration-not even Lynceus could endow such men with the power
 346 Text|               best laws, reaching these ends without executions and murders
 347 Text|                 power cannot so much as endure the name of any form of
 348 Text|          accomplished all his object. I endured all this patiently, retaining
 349 Text|             these incidents and the men engaged in public affairs, the laws
 350 Text|                memory; for it cannot be engendered at all in natures which
 351 Text|           approved by you, and let Dion enjoy the income from them but
 352 Text|             there against Dionysios and enjoying the income of his property.
 353 Text|               has now been decided, and enquire whether this course satisfies
 354 Text|                  Sending a messenger he enquired if I had really been conferring
 355 Text|                 before to others-not to enslave Sicily or any other State
 356 Text|               the enslavers nor for the enslaved, for themselves, their children’
 357 Text|               is better neither for the enslavers nor for the enslaved, for
 358 Text|       mischief-makers, that he might be ensnared, and so Dion would prove
 359 Text|              time, sending a trireme to ensure me comfort on the voyage;
 360 Text|                of continuous effort; it ensures that such a man shall not
 361 Text|        eagerness which I had never seen equalled in any young man, and resolved
 362 Text|                not the quality, but the essence, each of the four, presenting
 363 Text|                s property is, at a fair estimate, perhaps not less than a
 364 Text|               overthrow of the Mede and Eunuch; and to these he assigned
 365 Text|             said.”~On the following day Eurybios and Theodotes came to me
 366 Text|             Theodotes came to me in the evening, both greatly disturbed.
 367 Text|           courts of despots.~After that event he came to the conclusion
 368 Text|               not consult me at all, or evidently does not intend to follow
 369 Text|             customs, the more closely I examined them and the farther I advanced
 370 Text|                 end, and I followed his example and never talked to him
 371 Text|                there, also, are men who excel all mankind in their devotion
 372 Text|         fellow-citizens by suitable and excellent laws; and the thing next
 373 Text|               the future. But I do take exception to the statement that, because
 374 Text|               in a period of revolution excessive penalties were inflicted
 375 Text|       reputation of cowardice by making excuses about the distance of the
 376 Text|                and others condemned and executed the very man who would not
 377 Text|                the citizens by force to execution, in order that, whether
 378 Text|              the language and these the exhortations given by us, the conspirators
 379 Text|                this man to join you, or expect him to do any loyal or salutary
 380 Text|                 lofty and vain-glorious expectations, as though they had learnt
 381 Text|                 which may reasonably be expected, I know not what I shall
 382 Text|               on board a small boat and expelled him from Syracuse with ignominy.
 383 Text|               was then a young man, and explained to him my views as to the
 384 Text|       philosophy, which would have been exposed to detraction, if any disgrace
 385 Text|                 worth, will be far from exposing them to ill feeling and
 386 Text|            intelligence will venture to express his philosophical views
 387 Text|              laid hold of it; for it is expressed in the shortest of statements-but
 388 Text|                philosophy is in all its extent; what their range of studies
 389 Text|          squander all their property in extravagant, and consider it a duty
 390 Text|               of yesterday.” Fixing his eye on me, and assuming his
 391 Text|              and friend on his side, he failed completely in his attempt.
 392 Text|           disgrace had come upon me for faint-heartedness and cowardice.~On my arrival,
 393 Text|                Dion’s property is, at a fair estimate, perhaps not less
 394 Text|            treasures are laid up in the fairest spot that he possesses.
 395 Text|              action being the breach of faith to a guest-so he put it
 396 Text|                are not likely either to fall on deaf ears or to lead
 397 Text|             would in a rage. Theodotes, falling before him in tears, took
 398 Text|                 gross pleasure which is falsely called after the goddess
 399 Text|             counselling the friends and family of Dion. And in addition
 400 Text|             source whatever his bestial fancy supposes will provide for
 401 Text|                unaware that I was, in a fashion, without knowing it, contriving
 402 Text|            manners and practices of our fathers; nor was there any ready
 403 Text|             finally the scale turned in favour of the view that, if ever
 404 Text|             many fears and with no very favourable anticipations, as was natural
 405 Text|               discourses on philosophy, fearing the danger suggested by
 406 Text|              the victors make an end of feeding their grudge by combats
 407 Text|            truths of philosophy, should feel a craving for the higher
 408 Text|                came from Athens, my own fellow citizens, and reported that
 409 Text|                 aright the lives of his fellow-citizens by suitable and excellent
 410 Text|               out an unintelligible and ferocious war cry. Dionysios took
 411 Text|                higher power or avenging fiend has fallen upon them, inspiring
 412 Text|                 their numbers should be fifty; that is enough. These they
 413 Text|              revolution took place, and fifty-one men came to the front as
 414 Text|                cowardice which fears to fight against pleasures; nor is
 415 Text|                his own invention, or to figure as a man possessed of culture,
 416 Text|               As for the rest, it would fill some of them quite illogically
 417 Text|        statement or the act of showing, fills, one may say, every man
 418 Text|               Dionysios that, if anyone finds Heracleides either in the
 419 Text|            fully and may be regarded as finished; and if you ask my reasons
 420 Text|                 promises of yesterday.” Fixing his eye on me, and assuming
 421 Text|                kindled in one soul by a flame that leaps to it from another,
 422 Text|                 ill will, with a sudden flash there shines forth understanding
 423 Text|                 of right government and flatly refuse to move in the right
 424 Text|            useless, advice, nor would I flatter them or truckle to them,
 425 Text|                 like a bird yearning to fly from its perch, and he always
 426 Text|                these by two restraining forces, respect and fear; fear,
 427 Text|        according to the customs of your forefathers, but follows the manner
 428 Text|                  But not long after the foregoing events, as if he had entirely
 429 Text|                all in natures which are foreign to it. Therefore, if men
 430 Text|           should be betraying first and foremost my friendship and comradeship
 431 Text|               happened, so far as human foresight can foretell. Dion would
 432 Text|              far as human foresight can foretell. Dion would have easily
 433 Text|        memory-since there is no risk of forgetting it, if a man’s soul has
 434 Text|           events, as if he had entirely forgotten his letter to that effect,
 435 Text|                before him, that he must forthwith press on with all his strength,
 436     | forty
 437 Text|               rule very many cities not founded by themselves, which had
 438 Text|                just in time, by a small fraction of a day, in making his
 439 Text|       constitutional government and the framing of the justest and best
 440 Text|              have the heart to take any fresh step contrary to his promises
 441 Text|                brought into contact and friction one with another, in the
 442 Text|               his Tarentine circle into friendly relations with Dionysios.
 443 Text|                 war cry. Dionysios took fright and conceded all their demands
 444 Text|               fifty-one men came to the front as rulers of the revolutionary
 445 Text|                 I have come to you as a fugitive, not for want of hoplites,
 446 Text|              give you security. Let the funds which he receives be deposited
 447 Text|                guard. The soldiers were furious, and, assembling in great
 448 Text|                 whose efforts reach the furthest limits of human powers.
 449 Text|           master of himself and able to gain faithful friends and supporters,
 450 Text|              are bent upon seizing such gains for themselves, natures
 451 Text|                they sent a thirty-oared galley with Lamiscos, one of themselves,
 452 Text|                 Dion a spectator at the Games, and told him what had occurred.
 453 Text|              apparel, and given her the garb of freedom, he would then
 454 Text|              house, from which even the gatekeeper would have refused to let
 455 Text|             force to them, shutting the gates of the acropolis; but they
 456 Text|                  But Dionysios, who had gathered the whole of Sicily into
 457 Text|               that which befell them in Gelon’s time, whereas in our own
 458 Text|              see whether his desire was genuine or the reverse, and on no
 459 Text|                 Dionysios was trying to get hold of him, and being unable
 460 Text|            which I knew to be a special gift of yours, enabling you to
 461 Text|                of eating or drinking or glutting himself with that slavish
 462 Text|                falsely called after the goddess of love. He is blind and
 463 Text|        inspiring them with lawlessness, godlessness and acts of recklessness
 464 Text|             philosophic spirit and that godlike temperament which makes
 465 Text|                living under the rule of godly men and having received
 466 Text|                nor is it attained if he goes on to kill the men of substance,
 467 Text|               case I was prevented from going-since plainly and obviously I
 468 Text|        comparison something precious as gold-for among other things they
 469 Text|            towards him as Dionysios had gone through, when Dion attempted
 470 Text|         Syracusans ought to be free and governed by the best laws. So it
 471 Text|           establish in them trustworthy governments carried on by his own supporters,
 472 Text|                 from me, we may perhaps grant him the possession of it,
 473 Text|            quite sure that Dion will be grateful to you, if you accomplish
 474 Text|           impartial laws, framed not to gratify themselves more than the
 475 Text|                 me in the evening, both greatly disturbed. Theodotes said, “
 476 Text|               of general wickedness and greed they had reached. This was
 477 Text|             than of any of the Sicilian Greeks-and, with him, other men of
 478 Text|             here followed the customary greeting and immediately after it
 479 Text|           himself with that slavish and gross pleasure which is falsely
 480 Text|              vengeance on Dionysios-our ground for action being the breach
 481 Text|             Under this one head we must group everything which has its
 482 Text|               all mankind take root and grow and will in future bear
 483 Text|                 worse, and the evil was growing with startling rapidity.
 484 Text|                 an end of feeding their grudge by combats and banishments
 485 Text|               older members of his body guard. The soldiers were furious,
 486 Text|                the breach of faith to a guest-so he put it and regarded it,
 487 Text|               of righteousness with the guidance of wisdom, either possessing
 488 Text|            thoughts by which such a man guides his life, carrying out his
 489 Text|                 professes to be his own handbook, very different, so he says,
 490 Text|            difficult it seemed to me to handle public affairs aright. For
 491 Text|                 bring your efforts to a happier issue.~Let this be the end
 492 Text|                vulgar suppose, make him happy. For nothing evil or good,
 493 Text|              themselves, which had been hard hit by the barbarians but
 494 Text|             spared my life. Again, I am hardly of the age for being comrade
 495 Text|            which did not seem likely to harmonise with my teaching or with
 496 Text|                all that he should be in harmony with himself; for this it
 497 Text|               make it their business to harp upon it, and will make it
 498 Text|               future bear the bitterest harvest for those who brought them
 499 Text|               that I should arrive post haste in person as the bearer
 500 Text|                must not as yet take any hasty step with regard to his