The Seventh Letter
   Part
 1 Text|               that until the death of Dionysios he lived in a way which
 2 Text|             with the aid of the Gods, Dionysios might perhaps become one
 3 Text|           produce a similar effect on Dionysios, as his aim was that it
 4 Text|           sound views, Dion persuaded Dionysios to send for me; he also
 5 Text|        persons coming in contact with Dionysios should turn him aside into
 6 Text|               in it, and the youth of Dionysios and how strongly his desire
 7 Text|             influential in attracting Dionysios in the same direction, so
 8 Text|             or if he were banished by Dionysios and his other enemies and
 9 Text|           short, I found the court of Dionysios full of intrigues and of
10 Text|       conspiracy to seize the throne, Dionysios put him on board a small
11 Text|              had been put to death by Dionysios as the cause of all that
12 Text|              away against the will of Dionysios, nor indeed without a special
13 Text|               me and taken me back to Dionysios, especially since a statement
14 Text|           rumours and giving out that Dionysios was becoming extraordinarily
15 Text|             on an urgent summons from Dionysios. But before giving the motives
16 Text|          jointly with Dion, I advised Dionysios, bidding him in the first
17 Text|            whom they could trust. But Dionysios, who had gathered the whole
18 Text|              which Dion and I gave to Dionysios, since, owing to bringing
19 Text|              the conspirators against Dionysios according to the charges
20 Text|           prevailing as they did with Dionysios, caused the expulsion of
21 Text|             and Athens, his advice to Dionysios took the form of action.~
22 Text|             of feeling towards him as Dionysios had gone through, when Dion
23 Text|            the details of his career. Dionysios listened to those who circulated
24 Text|              his intention being that Dionysios, when his mind had fallen
25 Text|              and treacherously depose Dionysios. These slanders were victorious
26 Text|              his ally to the court of Dionysios, in order that I might create
27 Text|          slanders I was worsted. When Dionysios tried to persuade me by
28 Text|            first to Dion, secondly to Dionysios, and now for the third time
29 Text|             and looking at the lot of Dionysios and Dion, of whom the one
30 Text|               same way as I have with Dionysios. For both they and he have
31 Text|             These were the aims which Dionysios injured, and for me everything
32 Text|          knowing it, done the same as Dionysios. For as regards Dion, I
33 Text|          among the majority which, if Dionysios had been won over, would
34 Text|              with the co-operation of Dionysios; but some chance, mightier
35 Text|        narrative of my first visit to Dionysios. Whoever wishes may next
36 Text|              those events I persuaded Dionysios by such arguments as I could
37 Text|               state of war in Sicily. Dionysios said that, when he had put
38 Text|         rumours came from Sicily that Dionysios was now once more possessed
39 Text|              altogether with Dion and Dionysios; and I offended both of
40 Text|         Archytes came to the court of Dionysios. Before my departure I had
41 Text|               friendly relations with Dionysios. There were some others
42 Text|              to hold discussions with Dionysios on questions connected with
43 Text|                as I just now related, Dionysios seems to have felt all manner
44 Text|              tyrant was in the right. Dionysios now invited me for the third
45 Text|         brought the same report, that Dionysios had made progress in philosophy.
46 Text|          tenor of it was as follows: “Dionysios to Plato,” here followed
47 Text|              philosophical studies of Dionysios and saying that, if I did
48 Text|              in their friendship with Dionysios, which had been brought
49 Text|                next to the God, thank Dionysios, because, though many wished
50 Text|             test the question whether Dionysios had really been kindled
51 Text|               very much the case with Dionysios. One should show such men
52 Text|             came about that I said to Dionysios what I did say on that occasion.~
53 Text|          complete exposition, nor did Dionysios ask for one. For he professed
54 Text|               will know well that, if Dionysios or anyone else, great or
55 Text|             of possessing it. If then Dionysios gained this culture from
56 Text|          lesson and yet oftener. Does Dionysios, after a single lesson,
57 Text|          higher repute as judges than Dionysios, if on the other hand, he
58 Text|               eyes as to the value of Dionysios’ desire for philosophy,
59 Text|              I must not be vexed with Dionysios rather than with myself
60 Text|              my course,~but must tell Dionysios that it was impossible for
61 Text|              this: “Come suppose that Dionysios intends to do none of the
62 Text|            when I leave the house: of Dionysios?”~For in addition to my
63 Text|             had been sent to him from Dionysios. “Suppose however that I
64 Text|             am trying to take. And if Dionysios does any of the things which
65 Text|              fact the machinations of Dionysios.”~Having come to this decision,
66 Text|               following day I said to Dionysios, “I have decided to remain.
67 Text|             for me to take mine, when Dionysios, if you please, addressed
68 Text|             of my friends.~After this Dionysios and I went on with our daily
69 Text|          Sicily that we were friends. Dionysios, now deserting the policy
70 Text| unintelligible and ferocious war cry. Dionysios took fright and conceded
71 Text|      Heracleides kept out of the way. Dionysios was trying to get hold of
72 Text|            but what Theodotes said to Dionysios in my presence I know and
73 Text|         trying to convince our friend Dionysios that, if I am able to bring
74 Text|               no action there against Dionysios and enjoying the income
75 Text|           good. But I beg and entreat Dionysios that, if anyone finds Heracleides
76 Text|          retire from the country till Dionysios comes to some other decision.
77 Text|           this?” he added, addressing Dionysios. “I agree,” he replied, “
78 Text|           during the promises made by Dionysios to me and to you about Heracleides?” “
79 Text|         Heaven’s sake come with us to Dionysios.” So we went and stood in
80 Text|              stood in the presence of Dionysios; and those two stood shedding
81 Text|             of good cheer, Theodotes; Dionysios will not have the heart
82 Text|           Heracleides to take flight. Dionysios sent out Teisias and some
83 Text|    Carthaginian territory.~After this Dionysios thought that his long cherished
84 Text|    occurrences, throwing the blame on Dionysios. Hearing that I had been
85 Text|                who came and entreated Dionysios about me, saying that I
86 Text|         forced me to be the sharer of Dionysios’ table and hearth and his
87 Text|             since taken place. For if Dionysios had restored to Dion his