agesilaus-第7章
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himself into the serious concerns＇2＇ of friends。 By dint of a hopeful
and cheery disposition and unflagging gaiety of heart he attracted to
his side a throng of visitors； who came； not simply for the
transaction of some private interest； but rather to pass away the day
in pleasant sort。 Though little apt himself to use high…swelling
words； it did not annoy him to hear others sounding their own praises；
which he regarded as a harmless weakness； the pledge at least of high
endeavour＇3＇ in the future。
＇1＇ See 〃Hell。〃 V。 iii。 20； 〃Cyrop。〃 I。 iv。 27； 〃Econ。〃 ii。 7； Plut。
〃Ages。〃 ii。； xx。； Lyc。 xx。
＇2＇ Or； 〃he would discuss graver matters； according to the humour of
his friends。〃
＇3＇ Or； 〃of courageous conduct；〃 〃noble manhood。〃
But that he was capable of lofty sentiment and at the right season
must not be overlooked。 Thus when a letter reached him from the king
（I speak of that which was brought by the Persian agent in company
with Calleas＇4＇ of Lacedaemon； proposing terms of hospitality and
friendship with the Persian monarch）； he disdained to accept it；
telling the bearer to take back to the king this answer： 〃He need not
be at pains to send him letters in private； but if he could prove
himself a friend to Lacedaemon and the well…wisher of Hellas he should
have no cause to blame the ardour of his friendship；〃 but added； 〃if
your king be detected plotting； let him not think to find a friend in
me。 No； not if he sends me a thousand letters。〃 For my part； then； I
hold it praiseworthy that； by comparison with pleasing his fellow…
Hellenes； Agesilaus scorned such friendship。 And this； too； among his
tenets I find admirable： the truer title to self…congratulation
belonged not to the millionaire； the master of many legions； but to
him rather； who； being himself a better man； commanded the allegience
of better followers。
＇4＇ See 〃Hell。〃 IV。 i。 15； Plut。 〃Apophth。 Lac。〃 p。 777； Grote； 〃H。
G。〃 x。 402。
And this； in proof of mental forecast； I must needs praise in him。
Holding to the belief that the more satraps there were who revolted
from the king the surer the gain to Hellas； he did not suffer himself
to be seduced； either by gifts or by the mightiness in his power； to
be drawn into bonds of friendship with the king； but took precaution
rather not to abuse their confidence who were willing to revolt。
And lastly； as beyond all controversy admirable； note this contrast：
First； the Persian； who； believing that in the multitude of his riches
he had power to lay all things under his feet； would fain have swept
into his coffers all the gold and all the silver of mankind： for him；
and him alone； the costliest and most precious things of earth。 And
then this other； who contrariwise so furnished his establishment as to
be totally independent of every adventitious aid。＇5＇ And if any one
doubts the statement； let him look and see with what manner of
dwelling…place he was contented； let him view the palace doors： these
are the selfsame doors； he might well imagine； which Aristodemus；＇6＇
the great…great…grandson of Heracles； took and set up in the days of
the return。 Let him endeavour to view the furniture inside； there he
will perceive how the king feasted on high holy days； and he will hear
how the king's own daughter was wont to drive to Amyclae in a public
basket…carriage。＇7＇ Thus it was that by the adjustment of expenditure
to income he was never driven to the commission of any unjust deed for
money's sake。 And yet if it be a fine thing to hold a fortress
impregnable to attck； I count it a greater glory that a man should
hold the fortress of his soul inviolable against the assaults of
riches； pleasures； fears。
＇5＇ Or； 〃of all such external needs。〃
＇6＇ See Herod。 vi。 52。
＇7＇ See Plut。 〃Ages。〃 xix。 （Clough； iv。 p。 23）； the words ｛e thugater
autou｝ were supplied from this passage by Casaubon。
IX
I will here state to what extent the style of living which he
presented stands out in striking contrast to the ostentatious manner
of the Persian。＇1＇ In the first place； if the latter made a solemn
affectation of being but seldom seen； Agesilaus delighted to live in
the eye of day； believing that seclusion might accord well enough as a
screen for shameless conduct； but to a life of nobleness and beauty＇2＇
heaven's light added new ornament。＇3＇ And next； if the one prided
himself on being unapproachable； the other rejoiced in being
accessible to all the world； the one； with his airs and graces； was
pleased to transact business slowly； the other was never so happy as
when he could satisfy the demands of a petitioner without waste of
time。＇4＇
＇1＇ Or； 〃how he presented his own manner in antithesis to the false
pretences of the Persian。〃 For ｛alazoneia｝ see 〃Mem。〃 I。 vii。 1；
Aristot。 〃N。 E。〃 iv。 7； Theophr。 〃Char。〃 vi。
＇2＇ Lit。 〃a life striving towards beauteousness。〃
＇3＇ Or； 〃added but greater lustre。〃
＇4＇ Lit。 〃could satisfy and dismiss his petitioners without delay。〃
Again； it is worthy of observation how much easier and simpler to
satisfy was the standard of comfort which the Spartan aimed at。＇5＇ For
the Persian； men must compass sea and land to discover some beverage
which he will care to drink； he needs ten thousand pastrycooks to
supply the kick…shaws he will deign to eat； and to procure him the
blessing of sleep no tongue can describe what a world of trouble must
be taken。 But Agesilaus was a lover of toil； and therefore not so
dainty； the meanest beverage was sweet to his lips； and pleasant
enough to his taste was the chance fare of the moment； and for the
purpose of refreshing slumber every place alike conducive。 It was not
merely that to fare thus gave him pure pleasure； but in the sense of
contrast lay a double satisfaction。 Here was he roaming earth freely
in the midst of a world of delight；＇6＇ and there lay the Persian；
under his eyes； who to escape a life of pain must drag together from
the uttermost parts of earth the separate ingredients for his
pleasure。 It was another source of joy that to himself it was given to
confront the appointed order of the universe＇7＇ without pain； while
through weakness of soul his rival； it was plain to see； was driven to
flee away from heat and cold； and to shape his life； not by the
pattern of brave men； but of some mean and defenceless animal。＇8＇
＇5＇ See Herod。 i。 135； for the luxury of the Persians and for the
refinements of civilisation。 See 〃Mem。〃 II。 i。 10； 〃Cyrop。〃 VIII。
i。 40。
＇6＇ Or； 〃in a round of festivity。〃
＇7＇ See Plut。 〃Ages。〃 xiv。 （Clough； iv。 p。 17）； 〃Apophth。 Lac。〃 p。
102； Eur。 〃Supp。〃 214； 215。
｛de ou truphomen； theou kataskeuen bio
dontos toiauten； oisin ouk arkei tade｝；
＇8＇ Or； 〃the most defenceless of God's creatures。〃 Lit。 〃the weakest
of animals。〃
And what a fine trait this was in him； and betokening how lofty a
sentiment； that； being content to adorn his own house with works and
possessions suited to a man； and being devoted to the breeding of dogs
and horses in large numbers for the chase and warfare； he persuaded
his sister Cynisca to rear chariot horses；＇9＇ and thus by her
victory＇10＇ showed that to keep a stud of that sort； however much it
might be a mark of wealth； was hardly a proof of manly virtue。 And
surely in the following opinion we may discern plainly the generosity
of him who entertained it。 To win victories over private persons in a
chariot race does not add one tittle to a man's renown。 He； rather；
who holds his city dear beyond all things else； who has himself sunk
deep into the heart of her affections； who has obtained to himself all
over the world a host of friends and those the noblest； who can outdo
his country and comrades alike in the race of kindliness； and his
antagonists in vengeancesuch a man may； in a true sense； be said to
bear away the palm of victory in conquests noble and magnificent；
living and in death to him belongs transcendent fame。
＇9＇ I。e。 〃for the games。〃
＇10＇ I。e。 〃at Olympia。〃 Cynisca； according to Pausanias （iii。 8）； was
the first woman who won a prize at Olympia。 See also Plut。 〃Ages。〃
xx。 （Clough； iv。 p。 23）。
X
It is as possessiong qualities such as these that I praise Agesilaus。
And in these matters he was not like a man who chances upon a treasure
and thereby becomes wealthier； albeit none the more skilful in
economy； nor yet like him who； when a plague has fallen upon an enemy；
wrests a victory； whereby he may add to his reputation for success；
but not for strategy。 Rather was his example that of one who in each
emergency will take the lead； at a crisis where toil is needful； by
endurance； or in the battle…lists of bravery by prowess； or when the
function of the counsellor is uppermost； by the soundness of his
judgment。 Of such a man I say； he has obtained by warrant indefeasible
the title peerless。
And if； as a means towards good workmanship； we count among the noble
inventions of mankind the rule and the plummet；＇1＇ no less happily
shall we； who desire to attain a manly excellence； find in the virtue
of Agesilaus a pattern and example。 He was God…fearing； he was just in
all his dealings； sound of soul and self…controlled。 How then shall we
who imitate him become his opposite； unholy； unjust； tyrannical；
licentious？ And； truth to say； this man prided himself； not so much on
being a king over others as on ruling himself；＇2＇ not so much on
leading his citizens to attack the enemy as on guiding them to embrace
all virtue。
＇1＇ See Aeschin。 〃c。 Ctes。〃 p。 52； 25； Plat。 〃Phileb。〃 56 B。
＇2＇ See Plut。 〃Apophth。 Lac。〃 p。 104。
Yet let it not be supposed； because he whom we praise has finished
life； that our discourse must therefore be regarded as a funeral
hymn。＇3＇ Far rather let it be named a hymn of praise； since in the
first place it is only the repetition； now that he is dead； of a tale
familiar to his ears when living。 And in the next place； what is more
remote from dirge and lamentation than a life of glory crowned by
