seventh letter plato

8/7/2019 seventh letter plato

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The Seventh LetterBy Plato

Translated by J. Harward

Plato TO THE RELATIVES AND RIENDS O DION. !ELARE.

"o# wr$te to %e that I %#st &ons$der yo#r v$ews the sa%e as thoseo' D$on( and yo# #r)e %e to a$d yo#r &a#se so 'ar as I &an $n wordand deed. *y answer $s that( $' yo# have the sa%e o+$n$on and des$reas he had( I &onsent to a$d yo#r &a#se, b#t $' not( I shall th$n-%ore than on&e abo#t $t. Now what h$s +#r+ose and des$re was( I &an$n'or% yo# 'ro% no %ere &one&t#re b#t 'ro% +os$t$ve -nowled)e. orwhen I %ade %y '$rst v$s$t to S$&$ly( be$n) then abo#t 'orty yearsold( D$on was o' the sa%e a)e as H$++ar$nos $s now( and the o+$n$onwh$&h he then 'or%ed was that wh$&h he always reta$ned( I %ean thebel$e' that the Syrasans o#)ht to be 'ree and )overned by the bestlaws. So $t $s no %atter 'or s#r+r$se $' so%e /od sho#ld %a-e H$++ar$nos

ado+t the sa%e o+$n$on as D$on abo#t 'or%s o' )overn%ent. B#t $t $swell worth wh$le that yo# sho#ld all( old as well as yo#n)( hear theway $n wh$&h th$s o+$n$on was 'or%ed( and I w$ll atte%+t to )$ve yo#an a&&o#nt o' $t 'ro% the be)$nn$n). or the +resent $s a s#$tableo++ort#n$ty.

In %y yo#th I went thro#)h the sa%e e0+er$en&e as %any other %en.I 'an&$ed that $'( early $n l$'e( I be&a%e %y own %aster( I sho#ldat on&e e%bar- on a +ol$t$&al &areer. And I 'o#nd %ysel' &on'rontedw$th the 'ollow$n) o&rren&es $n the +#bl$& a''a$rs o' %y own &$ty.The e0$st$n) &onst$t#t$on be$n) )enerally &onde%ned( a revol#t$ontoo- +la&e( and '$'ty1one %en &a%e to the 'ront as r#lers o' the revol#t$onary)overn%ent( na%ely eleven $n the &$ty and ten $n the Pe$rae#s1ea&h

o' these bod$es be$n) $n &har)e o' the %ar-et and %#n$&$+al %atters1wh$leth$rty were a++o$nted r#lers w$th '#ll +owers over +#bl$& a''a$rsas a whole. So%e o' these were relat$ves and a&2#a$ntan&es o' %$ne(and they at on&e $nv$ted %e to share $n the$r do$n)s( as so%eth$n)to wh$&h I had a &la$%. The e''e&t on %e was not s#r+r$s$n) $n the&ase o' a yo#n) %an. I &ons$dered that they wo#ld( o' &o#rse( so %ana)ethe State as to br$n) %en o#t o' a bad way o' l$'e $nto a )ood one.So I wat&hed the% very &losely to see what they wo#ld do.

And see$n)( as I d$d( that $n 2#$te a short t$%e they %ade the 'or%er)overn%ent see% by &o%+ar$son so%eth$n) +re&$o#s as )old1'or a%on)other th$n)s they tr$ed to send a 'r$end o' %$ne( the a)ed So&rates(who% I sho#ld s&ar&ely s&r#+le to des&r$be as the %ost #+r$)ht %an

o' that day( w$th so%e other +ersons to &arry o'' one o' the &$t$3ensby 'or&e to e0et$on( $n order that( whether he w$shed $t( or not(he %$)ht share the )#$lt o' the$r &ond#&t, b#t he wo#ld not obey the%(r$s-$n) all &onse2#en&es $n +re'eren&e to be&o%$n) a +artner $n the$r$n$2#$to#s deeds1see$n) all these th$n)s and others o' the sa%e -$ndon a &ons$derable s&ale( I d$sa++roved o' the$r +ro&eed$n)s( and w$thdrew'ro% any &onne&t$on w$th the ab#ses o' the t$%e.

Not lon) a'ter that a revol#t$on ter%$nated the +ower o' the th$rty


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and the 'or% o' )overn%ent as $t then was. And on&e %ore( tho#)h w$th%ore hes$tat$on( I be)an to be %oved by the des$re to ta-e +art $n+#bl$& and +ol$t$&al a''a$rs. !ell( even $n the new )overn%ent( #nsettledas $t was( events o&rred wh$&h one wo#ld nat#rally v$ew w$th d$sa++roval,and $t was not s#r+r$s$n) that $n a +er$od o' revol#t$on e0&ess$ve+enalt$es were $n'l$&ted by so%e +ersons on +ol$t$&al o++onents( tho#)hthose who had ret#rned 'ro% e0$le at that t$%e showed very &ons$derable'orbearan&e. B#t on&e %ore $t ha++ened that so%e o' those $n +owerbro#)ht %y 'r$end So&rates( who% I have %ent$oned( to tr$al be'orea &o#rt o' law( lay$n) a %ost $n$2#$to#s &har)e a)a$nst h$% and one%ost $na++ro+r$ate $n h$s &ase4 'or $t was on a &har)e o' $%+$etythat so%e o' the% +roseted and others &onde%ned and e0eted thevery %an who wo#ld not +art$&$+ate $n the $n$2#$to#s arrest o' oneo' the 'r$ends o' the +arty then $n e0$le( at the t$%e when they the%selveswere $n e0$le and %$s'ort#ne.

As I observed these $n&$dents and the %en en)a)ed $n +#bl$& a''a$rs(the laws too and the sto%s( the %ore &losely I e0a%$ned the% andthe 'arther I advan&ed $n l$'e( the %ore d$''$lt $t see%ed to %eto handle +#bl$& a''a$rs ar$)ht. or $t was not +oss$ble to be a&t$ve$n +ol$t$&s w$tho#t 'r$ends and tr#stworthy s#++orters, and to '$ndthese ready to %y hand was not an easy %atter( s$n&e +#bl$& a''a$rsat Athens were not &arr$ed on $n a&&ordan&e w$th the %anners and +ra&t$&eso' o#r 'athers, nor was there any ready %ethod by wh$&h I &o#ld %a-enew 'r$ends. The laws too( wr$tten and #nwr$tten( were be$n) altered'or the worse( and the ev$l was )row$n) w$th startl$n) ra+$d$ty. Theres#lt was that( tho#)h at '$rst I had been '#ll o' a stron) $%+#lsetowards +ol$t$&al l$'e( as I loo-ed at the &o#rse o' a''a$rs and sawthe% be$n) swe+t $n all d$re&t$ons by &ontend$n) rrents( %y head'$nally be)an to sw$%, and( tho#)h I d$d not sto+ loo-$n) to see $'there was any l$-el$hood o' $%+rove%ent $n these sy%+to%s and $n the)eneral &o#rse o' +#bl$& l$'e( I +ost+oned a&t$on t$ll a s#$tableo++ort#n$ty sho#ld ar$se. $nally( $t be&a%e &lear to %e( w$th re)ard

to all e0$st$n) &orn%#n$t$es( that they were one and all %$s)overned.or the$r laws have )ot $nto a state that $s al%ost $nrable( e0&e+tby so%e e0traord$nary re'or% w$th )ood l#&- to s#++ort $t. And I was'or&ed to say( when +ra$s$n) tr#e +h$loso+hy that $t $s by th$s that%en are enabled to see what #st$&e $n +#bl$& and +r$vate l$'e really$s. There'ore( I sa$d( there w$ll be no &essat$on o' ev$ls 'or thesons o' %en( t$ll e$ther those who are +#rs#$n) a r$)ht and tr#e +h$loso+hyre&e$ve sovere$)n +ower $n the States( or those $n +ower $n the Statesby so%e d$s+ensat$on o' +rov$den&e be&o%e tr#e +h$loso+hers.

!$th these tho#)hts $n %y %$nd I &a%e to Italy and S$&$ly on %y '$rstv$s$t. *y '$rst $%+ress$ons on arr$val were those o' stron) d$sa++roval1d$sa++rovalo' the -$nd o' l$'e wh$&h was there &alled the l$'e o' ha++$ness(

st#''ed '#ll as $t was w$th the ban2#ets o' the Ital$an /ree-s andSyrasans( who ate to re+let$on tw$&e every day( and were never w$tho#ta +artner 'or the n$)ht, and d$sa++roval o' the hab$ts wh$&h th$s%anner o' l$'e +rod#&es. or w$th these hab$ts 'or%ed early $n l$'e(no %an #nder heaven &o#ld +oss$bly atta$n to w$sdo%1h#%an nat#re $snot &a+able o' s#&h an e0traord$nary &o%b$nat$on. Te%+eran&e also$s o#t o' the 2#est$on 'or s#&h a %an, and the sa%e a++l$es to v$rt#e)enerally. No &$ty &o#ld re%a$n $n a state o' tran2#$ll$ty #nder anylaws whatsoever( when %en th$n- $t r$)ht to s2#ander all the$r +ro+erty


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$n e0trava)ant( and &ons$der $t a d#ty to be $dle $n everyth$n) elsee0&e+t eat$n) and dr$n-$n) and the labor$o#s +roset$on o' deba#&hery.It 'ollows ne&essar$ly that the &onst$t#t$ons o' s#&h &$t$es %#stbe &onstantly &han)$n)( tyrann$es( ol$)ar&h$es and de%o&ra&$es s#&&eed$n)one another( wh$le those who hold the +ower &annot so %#&h as end#rethe na%e o' any 'or% o' )overn%ent wh$&h %a$nta$ns #st$&e and e2#al$tyo' r$)hts.

!$th a %$nd '#ll o' these tho#)hts( on the to+ o' %y +rev$o#s &onv$&t$ons(I &rossed over to Syrase1led there +erha+s by &han&e1b#t $t reallyloo-s as $' so%e h$)her +ower was even then +lann$n) to lay a 'o#ndat$on'or all that has now &o%e to +ass w$th re)ard to D$on and Syrase1and'or '#rther tro#bles too( I 'ear( #nless yo# l$sten to the adv$&ewh$&h $s now 'or the se&ond t$%e o''ered by %e. !hat do I %ean bysay$n) that %y arr$val $n S$&$ly at that %ove%ent +roved to be the'o#ndat$on on wh$&h all the se2#el rests5 I was bro#)ht $nto &lose$nter&o#rse w$th D$on who was then a yo#n) %an( and e0+la$ned to h$%%y v$ews as to the $deals at wh$&h %en sho#ld a$%( adv$s$n) h$% to&arry the% o#t $n +ra&t$&e. In do$n) th$s I see% to have been #nawarethat I was( $n a 'ash$on( w$tho#t -now$n) $t( &ontr$v$n) the overthrowo' the tyranny wh$&h, s#bse2#ently too- +la&e. or D$on( who ra+$dlyass$%$lated %y tea&h$n) as he d$d all 'or%s o' -nowled)e( l$stenedto %e w$th an ea)erness wh$&h I had never seen e2#alled $n any yo#n)%an( and resolved to l$ve 'or the '#t#re $n a better way than the%aor$ty o' Ital$an and S$&$l$an /ree-s( hav$n) set h$s a''e&t$onon v$rt#e $n +re'eren&e to +leas#re and sel'1$nd#l)en&e. The res#ltwas that #nt$l the death o' D$onys$os he l$ved $n a way wh$&h renderedh$% so%ewhat #n+o+#lar a%on) those whose %anner o' l$'e was that wh$&h$s #s#al $n the &o#rts o' des+ots.

A'ter that event he &a%e to the &on&l#s$on that th$s &onv$&t$on( wh$&hhe h$%sel' had )a$ned #nder the $n'l#en&e o' )ood tea&h$n)( was notl$-ely to be &on'$ned to h$%sel'. Indeed( he saw $t be$n) a&t#ally$%+lanted $n other %$nds1not %any +erha+s( b#t &erta$nly $n so%e,and he tho#)ht that w$th the a$d o' the /ods( D$onys$os %$)ht +erha+sbe&o%e one o' these( and that( $' s#&h a th$n) d$d &o%e to +ass( theres#lt wo#ld be a l$'e o' #ns+ea-able ha++$ness both 'or h$%sel' and'or the rest o' the Syrasans. #rther( he tho#)ht $t essent$al thatI sho#ld &o%e to Syrase by all %anner o' %eans and w$th the #t%ost+oss$ble s+eed to be h$s +artner $n these +lans( re%e%ber$n) $n h$sown &ase how read$ly $nter&o#rse w$th %e had +rod#&ed $n h$% a lon)$n)'or the noblest and best l$'e. And $' $t sho#ld +rod#&e a s$%$lare''e&t on D$onys$os( as h$s a$% was that $t sho#ld( he had )reat ho+ethat( w$tho#t bloodshed( loss o' l$'e( and those d$sastro#s eventswh$&h have now ta-en +la&e( he wo#ld be able to $ntrod#&e the tr#el$'e o' ha++$ness thro#)ho#t the whole terr$tory.

Hold$n) these so#nd v$ews( D$on +ers#aded D$onys$os to send 'or %e,he also wrote h$%sel' entreat$n) %e to &o%e by all %anner o' %eansand w$th the #t%ost +oss$ble s+eed( be'ore &erta$n other +ersons &o%$n)$n &onta&t w$th D$onys$os sho#ld t#rn h$% as$de $nto so%e way o' l$'eother than the best. !hat he sa$d( tho#)h +erha+s $t $s rather lon)to re+eat( was as 'ollows4 6!hat o++ort#n$t$es(6 he sa$d( 6shall wewa$t 'or( )reater than those now o''ered to #s by Prov$den&e56 Andhe des&r$bed the Syrasan e%+$re $n Italy and S$&$ly( h$s own $n'l#ent$al


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+os$t$on $n $t( and the yo#th o' D$onys$os and how stron)ly h$s des$rewas d$re&ted towards +h$loso+hy and ed#&at$on. H$s own ne+hews andrelat$ves( he sa$d( wo#ld be read$ly attra&ted towards the +r$n&$+lesand %anner o' l$'e des&r$bed by %e( and wo#ld be %ost $n'l#ent$al$n attra&t$n) D$onys$os $n the sa%e d$re&t$on( so that( now $' ever(we sho#ld see the a&&o%+l$sh%ent o' every ho+e that the sa%e +ersons%$)ht a&t#ally be&o%e both +h$loso+hers and the r#lers o' )reat States.These were the a++eals addressed to %e and %#&h %ore to the sa%e e''e&t.

*y own o+$n$on( so 'ar as the yo#n) %en were &on&erned( and the +robablel$ne wh$&h the$r &ond#&t wo#ld ta-e( was '#ll o' a++rehens$on1'oryo#n) %en are 2#$&- $n 'or%$n) des$res( wh$&h o'ten ta-e d$re&t$ons&on'l$&t$n) w$th one another. B#t I -new that the &hara&ter o' D$on7s%$nd was nat#rally a stable one and had also the advanta)e o' so%ewhatadvan&ed years.

There'ore( I +ondered the %atter and was $n two %$nds as to whetherI o#)ht to l$sten to entreat$es and )o( or how I o#)ht to a&t, and'$nally the s&ale t#rned $n 'avo#r o' the v$ew that( $' ever anyone

was to try to &arry o#t $n +ra&t$&e %y $deas abo#t laws and &onst$t#t$ons(now was the t$%e 'or %a-$n) the atte%+t, 'or $' only I &o#ld '#lly&onv$n&e one %an( I sho#ld have sered thereby the a&&o%+l$sh%ento' all )ood th$n)s.

!$th these v$ews and th#s nerved to the tas-( I sa$led 'ro% ho%e($n the s+$r$t wh$&h so%e $%a)$ned( b#t +r$n&$+ally thro#)h a 'eel$n)o' sha%e w$th re)ard to %ysel'( lest I %$)ht so%e day a++ear to %ysel'wholly and solely a %ere %an o' words( one who wo#ld never o' h$sown w$ll lay h$s hand to any a&t. Also there was reason to th$n- thatI sho#ld be betray$n) '$rst and 'ore%ost %y 'r$endsh$+ and &o%radesh$+w$th D$on( who $n very tr#th was $n a +os$t$on o' &ons$derable dan)er.I' there'ore anyth$n) sho#ld ha++en to h$%( or $' he were ban$shedby D$onys$os and h$s other ene%$es and &o%$n) to #s as e0$le addressedth$s 2#est$on to %e4 6Plato( I have &o%e to yo# as a '#)$t$ve( not'or want o' ho+l$tes( nor be&a#se I had no &avalry 'or de'en&e a)a$nst%y ene%$es( b#t 'or want o' words and +ower o' +ers#as$on( wh$&h I-new to be a s+e&$al )$'t o' yo#rs( enabl$n) yo# to lead yo#n) %en$nto the +ath o' )oodness and #st$&e( and to establ$sh $n every &aserelat$ons o' 'r$endsh$+ and &o%radesh$+ a%on) the%. It $s 'or thewant o' th$s ass$stan&e on yo#r +art that I have le't Syrase anda% here now. And the d$s)ra&e atta&h$n) to yo#r treat%ent o' %e $sa s%all %atter. B#t +h$loso+hy1whose +ra$ses yo# are always s$n)$n)(wh$le yo# say she $s held $n d$shono#r by the rest o' %an-$nd1%#stwe not say that +h$loso+hy alon) w$th %e has now been betrayed( so'ar as yo#r a&t$on was &on&erned5 Had I been l$v$n) at *e)ara( yo#wo#ld &erta$nly have &o%e to )$ve %e yo#r a$d towards the obe&ts

'or wh$&h I as-ed $t, or yo# wo#ld have tho#)ht yo#rsel' the %ost&onte%+t$ble o' %an-$nd. B#t as $t $s( do yo# th$n- that yo# w$lles&a+e the re+#tat$on o' &oward$&e by %a-$n) e0ses abo#t the d$stan&eo' the o#rney( the len)th o' the sea voya)e( and the a%o#nt o' labo#r$nvolved5 ar 'ro% $t.6 To re+roa&hes o' th$s -$nd what &red$tablere+ly &o#ld I have %ade5 S#rely none.

I too- %y de+art#re( there'ore( a&t$n)( so 'ar as a %an &an a&t( $nobed$en&e to reason and #st$&e( and 'or these reasons leav$n) %y


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own o&+at$ons( wh$&h were &erta$nly not d$s&red$table ones( to +#t%ysel' #nder a tyranny wh$&h d$d not see% l$-ely to har%on$se w$th%y tea&h$n) or w$th %ysel'. By %y de+art#re I sered %y own 'reedo%'ro% the d$s+leas#re o' 8e#s 9en$os( and %ade %ysel' &lear o' any&har)e on the +art o' +h$loso+hy( wh$&h wo#ld have been e0+osed todetra&t$on( $' any d$s)ra&e had &o%e #+on %e 'or 'a$nt1heartednessand &oward$&e.

On %y arr$val( to t a lon) story short( I 'o#nd the &o#rt o' D$onys$os'#ll o' $ntr$)#es and o' atte%+ts to &reate $n the sovere$)n $ll1'eel$n)a)a$nst D$on. I &o%bated these as 'ar as I &o#ld( b#t w$th very l$ttles#&&ess, and $n the 'o#rth %onth or thereabo#ts( &har)$n) D$on w$th&ons+$ra&y to se$3e the throne( D$onys$os +#t h$% on board a s%allboat and e0+elled h$% 'ro% Syrase w$th $)no%$ny. All o' #s who wereD$on7s 'r$ends were a'ra$d that he %$)ht ta-e ven)ean&e on one orother o' #s as an a&&o%+l$&e $n D$on7s &ons+$ra&y. !$th re)ard to%e( there was even a r#%o#r rrent $n Syrase that I had been +#tto death by D$onys$os as the &a#se o' all that had o&rred. Per&e$v$n)that we were all $n th$s state o' %$nd and a++rehend$n) that o#r 'ears%$)ht lead to so%e ser$o#s &onse2#en&e( he now tr$ed to w$n all o'#s over by -$ndness4 %e $n +art$lar he en&o#ra)ed( b$dd$n) %e beo' )ood &heer and entreat$n) %e on all )ro#nds to re%a$n. or %y 'l$)ht'ro% h$% was not l$-ely to redo#nd to h$s &red$t( b#t %y stay$n) %$)htdo so. There'ore( he %ade a )reat +reten&e o' entreat$n) %e. And we-now that the entreat$es o' sovere$)ns are %$0ed w$th &o%+#ls$on.So to sere h$s obe&t he +ro&eeded to render %y de+art#re $%+oss$ble(br$n)$n) %e $nto the a&ro+ol$s( and establ$sh$n) %e $n 2#arters 'ro%wh$&h not a s$n)le sh$+7s &a+ta$n wo#ld have ta-en %e away a)a$nstthe w$ll o' D$onys$os( nor $ndeed w$tho#t a s+e&$al %essen)er sentby h$% to order %y re%oval. Nor was there a s$n)le %er&hant( or as$n)le o''$&$al $n &har)e o' +o$nts o' de+art#re 'ro% the &o#ntry(who wo#ld have allowed %e to de+art #na&&o%+an$ed( and wo#ld not have+ro%+tly se$3ed %e and ta-en %e ba&- to D$onys$os( es+e&$ally s$n&e

a state%ent had now been &$rlated &ontrad$&t$n) the +rev$o#s r#%o#rsand )$v$n) o#t that D$onys$os was be&o%$n) e0traord$nar$ly atta&hedto Plato. !hat were the 'a&ts abo#t th$s atta&h%ent5 I %#st tell thetr#th. As t$%e went on( and as $nter&o#rse %ade h$% a&2#a$nted w$th%y d$s+os$t$on and &hara&ter( he d$d be&o%e %ore and %ore atta&hedto %e( and w$shed %e to +ra$se h$% %ore than I +ra$sed D$on( and toloo- #+on h$% as %ore s+e&$ally %y 'r$end than D$on( and he was e0traord$nar$lyea)er abo#t th$s sort o' th$n). B#t when &on'ronted w$th the one way$n wh$&h th$s %$)ht have been done( $' $t was to be done at all( heshran- 'ro% &o%$n) $nto &lose and $nt$%ate relat$ons w$th %e as a+#+$l and l$stener to %y d$s&o#rses on +h$loso+hy( 'ear$n) the dan)ers#))ested by %$s&h$e'1%a-ers( that he %$)ht be ensnared( and so D$onwo#ld +rove to have a&&o%+l$shed all h$s obe&t. I end#red all th$s

+at$ently( reta$n$n) the +#r+ose w$th wh$&h I had &o%e and the ho+ethat he %$)ht &o%e to des$re the +h$loso+h$& l$'e. B#t h$s res$stan&e+reva$led a)a$nst %e.

The t$%e o' %y '$rst v$s$t to S$&$ly and %y stay there was ta-en #+w$th all these $n&$dents. On a later o&&as$on I le't ho%e and a)a$n&a%e on an #r)ent s#%%ons 'ro% D$onys$os. B#t be'ore )$v$n) the %ot$vesand +art$lars o' %y &ond#&t then and show$n) how s#$table and r$)ht$t was( I %#st '$rst( $n order that I %ay not treat as the %a$n +o$nt


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what $s only a s$de $ss#e( )$ve yo# %y adv$&e as to what yo#r a&tssho#ld be $n the +resent +os$t$on o' a''a$rs, a'terwards( to sat$s'ythose who +#t the 2#est$on why I &a%e a se&ond t$%e( I w$ll deal '#llyw$th the 'a&ts abo#t %y se&ond v$s$t, what I have now to say $s th$s.

He who adv$ses a s$&- %an( whose %anner o' l$'e $s +re#d$&$al to

health( $s &learly bo#nd '$rst o' all to &han)e h$s +at$ent7s %annero' l$'e( and $' the +at$ent $s w$ll$n) to obey h$%( he %ay )o on to)$ve h$% other adv$&e. B#t $' he $s not w$ll$n)( I shall &ons$derone who de&l$nes to adv$se s#&h a +at$ent to be a %an and a +hys$&$an(and one who )$ves $n to h$% to be #n%anly and #n+ro'ess$onal. In thesa%e way w$th re)ard to a State( whether $t be #nder a s$n)le r#leror %ore than one( $'( wh$le the )overn%ent $s be$n) &arr$ed on %ethod$&allyand $n a r$)ht &o#rse( $t as-s adv$&e abo#t any deta$ls o' +ol$&y($t $s the +art o' a w$se %an to adv$se s#&h +eo+le. B#t when %en aretravell$n) alto)ether o#ts$de the +ath o' r$)ht )overn%ent and 'latlyre'#se to %ove $n the r$)ht +ath( and start by )$v$n) not$&e to the$radv$ser that he %#st leave the )overn%ent alone and %a-e no &han)e$n $t #nder +enalty o' death1$' s#&h %en sho#ld order the$r &o#nsellorsto +ander to the$r w$shes and des$res and to adv$se the% $n what waythe$r obe&t %ay %ost read$ly and eas$ly be on&e 'or all a&&o%+l$shed(I sho#ld &ons$der as #n%anly one who a&&e+ts the d#ty o' )$v$n) s#&h'or%s o' adv$&e( and one who re'#ses $t to be a tr#e %an.

Hold$n) these v$ews( whenever anyone &ons#lts %e abo#t any o' thewe$)ht$est %atters a''e&t$n) h$s own l$'e( as( 'or $nstan&e( the a&2#$s$t$ono' +ro+erty or the +ro+er treat%ent o' body or %$nd( $' $t see%s to%e that h$s da$ly l$'e rests on any syste%( or $' he see%s l$-elyto l$sten to adv$&e abo#t the th$n)s on wh$&h he &ons#lts %e( I adv$seh$% w$th read$ness( and do not &ontent %ysel' w$th )$v$n) h$% a %erely+er'#n&tory answer. B#t $' a %an does not &ons#lt %e at all( or ev$dentlydoes not $ntend to 'ollow %y adv$&e( I do not ta-e the $n$t$at$ve$n adv$s$n) s#&h a %an( and w$ll not #se &o%+#ls$on to h$%( even $'he be %y own son. I wo#ld adv$se a slave #nder s#&h &$r%stan&es(and wo#ld #se &o%+#ls$on to h$% $' he were #nw$ll$n). To a 'atheror %other I do not th$n- that +$ety allows one to o''er &o%+#ls$on(#nless they are s#''er$n) 'ro% an atta&- o' $nsan$ty, and $' theyare 'ollow$n) any re)#lar hab$ts o' l$'e wh$&h +lease the% b#t donot +lease %e( I wo#ld not o''end the% by o''er$n) #seless( adv$&e(nor wo#ld I 'latter the% or tr#&-le to the%( +rov$d$n) the% w$th the%eans o' sat$s'y$n) des$res wh$&h I %ysel' wo#ld sooner d$e than &her$sh.The w$se %an sho#ld )o thro#)h l$'e w$th the sa%e att$t#de o' %$ndtowards h$s &o#ntry. I' she sho#ld a++ear to h$% to be 'ollow$n) a+ol$&y wh$&h $s not a )ood one( he sho#ld say so( +rov$ded that h$swords are not l$-ely e$ther to 'all on dea' ears or to lead to theloss o' h$s own l$'e. B#t 'or&e a)a$nst h$s nat$ve land he sho#ld

not #se $n order to br$n) abo#t a &han)e o' &onst$t#t$on( when $t$s not +oss$ble 'or the best &onst$t#t$on to be $ntrod#&ed w$tho#tdr$v$n) %en $nto e0$le or +#tt$n) the% to death, he sho#ld -ee+ 2#$etand o''er #+ +rayers 'or h$s own wel'are and 'or that o' h$s &o#ntry.

These are the +r$n&$+les $n a&&ordan&e w$th wh$&h I sho#ld adv$seyo#( as also( o$ntly w$th D$on( I adv$sed D$onys$os( b$dd$n) h$%$n the '$rst +la&e to l$ve h$s da$ly l$'e $n a way that wo#ld %a-eh$% as 'ar as +oss$ble %aster o' h$%sel' and able to )a$n 'a$th'#l


7/22

'r$ends and s#++orters( $n order that he %$)ht not have the sa%e e0+er$en&eas h$s 'ather. or h$s 'ather( hav$n) ta-en #nder h$s r#le %any )reat&$t$es o' S$&$ly wh$&h had been #tterly destroyed by the barbar$ans(was not able to 'o#nd the% a'resh and to establ$sh $n the% tr#stworthy)overn%ents &arr$ed on by h$s own s#++orters( e$ther by %en who hadno t$es o' blood w$th h$%( or by h$s brothers who% he had bro#)ht#+ when they were yo#n)er( and had ra$sed 'ro% h#%ble stat$on to h$)ho''$&e and 'ro% +overty to $%%ense wealth. Not one o' these was heable to wor- #+on by +ers#as$on( $nstr#&t$on( serv$&es and t$es o'-$ndred( so as to %a-e h$% a +artner $n h$s r#le, and he showed h$%sel'$n'er$or to Dar$#s w$th a seven'old $n'er$or$ty. or Dar$#s d$d not+#t h$s tr#st $n brothers or $n %en who% he had bro#)ht #+( b#t only$n h$s &on'ederates $n the overthrow o' the *ede and E#n#&h, and tothese he ass$)ned +ort$ons o' h$s e%+$re( seven $n n#%ber( ea&h o'the% )reater than all S$&$ly, and they were 'a$th'#l to h$% and d$dnot atta&- e$ther h$% or one another. Th#s he showed a +attern o'what the )ood law)$ver and -$n) o#)ht to be, 'or he drew #+ laws bywh$&h he has sered the Pers$an e%+$re $n sa'ety down to the +resentt$%e.

A)a$n( to )$ve another $nstan&e( the Athen$ans too- #nder the$r r#levery %any &$t$es not 'o#nded by the%selves( wh$&h had been hard h$tby the barbar$ans b#t were st$ll $n e0$sten&e( and %a$nta$ned the$rr#le over these 'or seventy years( be&a#se they had $n ea&h the% %enwho% they &o#ld tr#st. B#t D$onys$os( who had )athered the whole o'S$&$ly $nto a s$n)le &$ty( and was so &lever that he tr#sted no one(only sered h$s own sa'ety w$th )reat d$''$lty. or he was badlyo'' 'or tr#stworthy 'r$ends, and there $s no s#rer &r$ter$on o' v$rt#eand v$&e than th$s( whether a %an $s or $s not dest$t#te o' s#&h 'r$ends.

Th$s( then( was the adv$&e wh$&h D$on and I )ave to D$onys$os( s$n&e(ow$n) to br$n)$n) #+ wh$&h he had re&e$ved 'ro% h$s 'ather( he hadhad no advanta)es $n the way o' ed#&at$on or o' s#$table lessons($n the '$rst +la&e..., and( $n the se&ond +la&e( that( a'ter start$n)$n th$s way( he sho#ld %a-e 'r$ends o' others a%on) h$s &onne&t$onswho were o' the sa%e a)e and were $n sy%+athy w$th h$s +#rs#$t o'v$rt#e( b#t above all that he sho#ld be $n har%ony w$th h$%sel', 'orth$s $t was o' wh$&h he was re%ar-ably $n need. Th$s we d$d not say$n +la$n words( 'or that wo#ld not have been sa'e, b#t $n &overt lan)#a)ewe %a$nta$ned that every %an $n th$s way wo#ld save both h$%sel' andthose who% he was lead$n)( and $' he d$d not 'ollow th$s +ath( hewo#ld do #st the o++os$te o' th$s. And a'ter +ro&eed$n) on the &o#rsewh$&h we des&r$bed( and %a-$n) h$%sel' a w$se and te%+erate %an( $'he were then to 'o#nd a)a$n the &$t$es o' S$&$ly wh$&h had been la$dwaste( and b$nd the% to)ether by laws and &onst$t#t$ons( so as tobe loyal to h$% and to one another $n the$r res$stan&e to the atta&-s

o' the barbar$ans( he wo#ld( we told h$%( %a-e h$s 'ather7s e%+$renot %erely do#ble what $t was b#t %any t$%es )reater. or( $' theseth$n)s were done( h$s way wo#ld be &lear to a %ore &o%+lete s#b#)at$ono' the :artha)$n$ans than that wh$&h be'ell the% $n /elon7s t$%e(whereas $n o#r own day h$s 'ather had 'ollowed the o++os$te &o#rseo' levy$n) attr$b#te 'or the barbar$ans. Th$s was the lan)#a)e andthese the e0hortat$ons )$ven by #s( the &ons+$rators a)a$nst D$onys$osa&&ord$n) to the &har)es &$rlated 'ro% var$o#s so#r&es1&har)es wh$&h(+reva$l$n) as they d$d w$th D$onys$os( &a#sed the e0+#ls$on o' D$on


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and red#&ed %e to a state o' a++rehens$on. B#t when1to s#%%ar$se )reatevents wh$&h ha++ened $n no )reat t$%e1D$on ret#rned 'ro% the Pelo+onneseand Athens( h$s adv$&e to D$onys$os too- the 'or% o' a&t$on.

To +ro&eed1when D$on had tw$&e over del$vered the &$ty and restored$t to the &$t$3ens( the Syrasans went thro#)h the sa%e &han)es o'

'eel$n) towards h$% as D$onys$os had )one thro#)h( when D$on atte%+ted'$rst to ed#&ate h$% and tra$n h$% to be a sovere$)n worthy o' s#+re%e+ower and( when that was done( to be h$s &oad#tor $n all the deta$lso' h$s &areer. D$onys$os l$stened to those who &$rlated slandersto the e''e&t that D$on was a$%$n) at the tyranny $n all the ste+swh$&h he too- at that t$%e h$s $ntent$on be$n) that D$onys$os( whenh$s %$nd had 'allen #nder the s+ell o' lt#re( sho#ld ne)le&t the)overn%ent and leave $t $n h$s hands( and that he sho#ld then a++ro+r$ate$t 'or h$%sel' and trea&hero#sly de+ose D$onys$os. These slanderswere v$&tor$o#s on that o&&as$on, they were so on&e %ore when &$rlateda%on) the Syrasans( w$nn$n) a v$&tory wh$&h too- an e0traord$nary&o#rse and +roved d$s)ra&e'#l to $ts a#thors. The story o' what thentoo- +la&e $s one wh$&h deserves &are'#l attent$on on the +art o'those who are $nv$t$n) %e to deal w$th the +resent s$t#at$on.

I( an Athen$an and 'r$end o' D$on( &a%e as h$s ally to the &o#rt o'D$onys$os( $n order that I %$)ht &reate )ood w$ll $n +la&e o' a statewar, $n %y &on'l$&t w$th the a#thors o' these slanders I was worsted.!hen D$onys$os tr$ed to +ers#ade %e by o''ers o' hono#rs and wealthto atta&h %ysel' to h$%( and w$th a v$ew to )$v$n) a de&ent &olo#rto D$on7s e0+#ls$on a w$tness and 'r$end on h$s s$de( he 'a$led &o%+letely$n h$s atte%+t. Later on( when D$on ret#rned 'ro% e0$le( he too- w$thh$% 'ro% Athens two brothers( who had been h$s 'r$ends( not 'ro% &o%%#n$ty$n +h$loso+h$& st#dy( b#t w$th the ord$nary &o%+an$onsh$+ &o%%on a%on)%ost 'r$ends( wh$&h they 'or% as the res#lt o' relat$ons o' hos+$tal$tyand the $nter&o#rse wh$&h o&rs when one %an $n$t$ates the other$n the %yster$es. It was 'ro% th$s -$nd o' $nter&o#rse and 'ro% serv$&es&onne&ted w$th h$s ret#rn that these two hel+ers $n h$s restorat$onbe&a%e h$s &o%+an$ons. Hav$n) &o%e to S$&$ly( when they +er&e$vedthat D$on had been %$sre+resented to the S$&$l$an /ree-s( who% hehad l$berated( as one that +lotted to be&o%e %onar&h( they not onlybetrayed the$r &o%+an$on and 'r$end( b#t shared +ersonally $n the)#$lt o' h$s %#rder( stand$n) by h$s %#rderers as s#++orters w$thwea+ons $n the$r hands. The )#$lt and $%+$ety o' the$r &ond#&t I ne$there0se nor do I dwell #+on $t. or %any others %a-e $t the$r b#s$nessto har+ #+on $t( and w$ll %a-e $t the$r b#s$ness $n the '#t#re. B#tI do ta-e e0&e+t$on to the state%ent that( be&a#se they were Athen$ans(they have bro#)ht sha%e #+on th$s &$ty. or I say that he too $s an

Athen$an who re'#sed to betray th$s sa%e D$on( when he had the o''ero' r$&hes and %any other hono#rs. or h$s was no &o%%on or v#l)ar

'r$endsh$+( b#t rested on &o%%#n$ty $n l$beral ed#&at$on( and th$s$s the one th$n) $n wh$&h a w$se %an w$ll +#t h$s tr#st( 'ar %orethan $n t$es o' +ersonal and bod$ly -$nsh$+. So the two %#rdererso' D$on were not o' s#''$&$ent $%+ortan&e to be &a#ses o' d$s)ra&eto th$s &$ty( as tho#)h they had been %en o' any note.

All th$s has been sa$d w$th a v$ew to &o#nsell$n) the 'r$ends and'a%$ly o' D$on. And $n add$t$on to th$s I )$ve 'or the th$rd t$%eto yo# the sa%e adv$&e and &o#nsel wh$&h I have )$ven tw$&e be'ore


9/22

to others1not to enslave S$&$ly or any other State to des+ots1th$s%y &o#nsel b#t1to +#t $t #nder the r#le o' laws1'or the other &o#rse$s better ne$ther 'or the enslavers nor 'or the enslaved( 'or the%selves(the$r &h$ldren7s &h$ldren and des&endants, the atte%+t $s $n everyway 'ra#)ht w$th d$saster. It $s only s%all and %ean nat#res thatare bent #+on se$3$n) s#&h )a$ns 'or the%selves( nat#res that -nownoth$n) o' )oodness and #st$&e( d$v$ne as well as h#%an( $n th$sl$'e and $n the ne0t.

These are the lessons wh$&h I tr$ed to tea&h( '$rst to D$on( se&ondlyto D$onys$os( and now 'or the th$rd t$%e to yo#. Do yo# obey %e th$n-$n)o' 8e#s the Preserver( the +atron o' th$rd vent#res( and loo-$n) atthe lot o' D$onys$os and D$on( o' who% the one who d$sobeyed %e $sl$v$n) $n d$shono#r( wh$le he who obeyed %e has d$ed hono#rably. orthe one th$n) wh$&h $s wholly r$)ht and noble $s to str$ve 'or thatwh$&h $s %ost hono#rable 'or a %an7s sel' and 'or h$s &o#ntry( andto 'a&e the &onse2#en&es whatever they %ay be. or none o' #s &anes&a+e death( nor( $' a %an &o#ld do so( wo#ld $t( as the v#l)ar s#++ose(%a-e h$% ha++y. or noth$n) ev$l or )ood( wh$&h $s worth %ent$on$n)at all( belon)s to th$n)s so#lless, b#t )ood or ev$l w$ll be the +ort$ono' every so#l( e$ther wh$le atta&hed to the body or when se+arated'ro% $t.

And we sho#ld $n very tr#th always bel$eve those an&$ent and sa&redtea&h$n)s( wh$&h de&lare that the so#l $s $%%ortal( that $t has #d)es(and s#''ers the )reatest +enalt$es when $t has been se+arated 'ro%the body. There'ore also we sho#ld &ons$der $t a lesser ev$l to s#''er)reat wron)s and o#tra)es than to do the%. The &oveto#s %an( $%+over$shedas he $s $n the so#l( t#rns a dea' ear to th$s tea&h$n), or $' hehears $t( he la#)hs $t to s&orn w$th 'an&$ed s#+er$or$ty( and sha%elesslysnat&hes 'or h$%sel' 'ro% every so#r&e whatever h$s best$al 'an&ys#++oses w$ll +rov$de 'or h$% the %eans o' eat$n) or dr$n-$n) or )l#tt$n)h$%sel' w$th that slav$sh and )ross +leas#re wh$&h $s 'alsely &alleda'ter the )oddess o' love. He $s bl$nd and &annot see $n those a&tso' +l#nder wh$&h are a&&o%+an$ed by $%+$ety what he$no#s )#$lt $satta&hed to ea&h wron)'#l deed( and that the o''ender %#st dra) w$thh$% the b#rden o' th$s $%+$ety wh$le he %oves abo#t on earth( andwhen he has travelled beneath the earth on a o#rney wh$&h has every&$r%stan&e o' sha%e and %$sery.

It was by #r)$n) these and other l$-e tr#ths that I &onv$n&ed D$on(and $t $s I who have the best r$)ht to be an)ered w$th h$s %#rderers$n %#&h the sa%e way as I have w$th D$onys$os. or both they and hehave done the )reatest $n#ry to %e( and I %$)ht al%ost say to all%an-$nd( they by slay$n) the %an that was w$ll$n) to a&t r$)hteo#sly(and he by re'#s$n) to a&t r$)hteo#sly d#r$n) the whole o' h$s r#le(

when he held s#+re%e +ower( $n wh$&h r#le $' +h$loso+hy and +owerhad really %et to)ether( $t wo#ld have sent 'orth a l$)ht to all %en(/ree-s and barbar$ans( establ$sh$n) '#lly 'or all the tr#e bel$e'that there &an be no ha++$ness e$ther 'or the &o%%#n$ty or 'or the$nd$v$d#al %an( #nless he +asses h$s l$'e #nder the r#le o' r$)hteo#snessw$th the )#$dan&e o' w$sdo%( e$ther +ossess$n) these v$rt#es $n h$%sel'(or l$v$n) #nder the r#le o' )odly %en and hav$n) re&e$ved a r$)httra$n$n) and ed#&at$on $n %orals. These were the a$%s wh$&h D$onys$os$n#red( and 'or %e everyth$n) else $s a tr$'l$n) $n#ry &o%+ared


10/22

w$th th$s.

The %#rderer o' D$on has( w$tho#t -now$n) $t( done the sa%e as D$onys$os.or as re)ards D$on( I -now r$)ht well( so 'ar as $t $s +oss$ble 'ora %an to say anyth$n) +os$t$vely abo#t other %en( that( $' he had)ot the s#+re%e +ower( he wo#ld never have t#rned h$s %$nd to any

other 'or% o' r#le( b#t that( deal$n) '$rst w$th Syrase( h$s ownnat$ve land( when he had %ade an end o' her slavery( &lothed her $nbr$)ht a++arel( and )$ven her the )arb o' 'reedo%( he wo#ld then byevery %eans $n h$s +ower have ordered ar$)ht the l$ves o' h$s 'ellow1&$t$3ensby s#$table and e0&ellent laws, and the th$n) ne0t $n order( wh$&hhe wo#ld have set h$s heart to a&&o%+l$sh( was to 'o#nd a)a$n allthe States o' S$&$ly and %a-e the% 'ree 'ro% the barbar$ans( dr$v$n)o#t so%e and s#bd#$n) others( an eas$er tas- 'or h$% than $t was 'orH$ero. I' these th$n)s had been a&&o%+l$shed by a %an who was #stand brave and te%+erate and a +h$loso+her( the sa%e bel$e' w$th re)ardto v$rt#e wo#ld have been establ$shed a%on) the %aor$ty wh$&h( $'D$onys$os had been won over( wo#ld have been establ$shed( I %$)htal%ost say( a%on) all %an-$nd and wo#ld have )$ven the% salvat$on.B#t now so%e h$)her +ower or aven)$n) '$end has 'allen #+on the%($ns+$r$n) the% w$th lawlessness( )odlessness and a&ts o' re&-lessness$ss#$n) 'ro% $)noran&e( the seed 'ro% wh$&h all ev$ls 'or all %an-$ndta-e root and )row and w$ll $n '#t#re bear the b$tterest harvest 'orthose who bro#)ht the% $nto be$n). Th$s $)noran&e $t was wh$&h $nthat se&ond vent#re wre&-ed and r#$ned everyth$n).

And now( 'or )ood l#&-7s sa-e( let #s on th$s th$rd vent#re absta$n'ro% words o' $ll o%en. B#t( nevertheless( I adv$se yo#( h$s 'r$ends(to $%$tate $n D$on h$s love 'or h$s &o#ntry and h$s te%+erate hab$tso' da$ly l$'e( and to try w$th better a#s+$&es to &arry o#t h$s w$shes1whatthese were( yo# have heard 'ro% %e $n +la$n words. And whoever a%on)yo# &annot l$ve the s$%+le Dor$an l$'e a&&ord$n) to the sto%s o'yo#r 'ore'athers( b#t 'ollows the %anner o' l$'e o' D$on7s %#rderersand o' the S$&$l$ans( do not $nv$te th$s %an to o$n yo#( or e0+e&th$% to do any loyal or sal#tary a&t, b#t $nv$te all others to thewor- o' resettl$n) all the States o' S$&$ly and establ$sh$n) e2#al$ty#nder the laws( s#%%on$n) the% 'ro% S$&$ly $tsel' and 'ro% the wholePelo+onnese1and have no 'ear even o' Athens, 'or there( also( are%en who e0&el all %an-$nd $n the$r devot$on to v$rt#e and $n hatredo' the re&-less a&ts o' those who shed the blood o' 'r$ends.

B#t $'( a'ter all( th$s $s wor- 'or a '#t#re t$%e( whereas $%%ed$atea&t$on $s &alled 'or by the d$sorders o' all sorts and -$nds wh$&har$se every day 'ro% yo#r state o' &$v$l str$'e( every %an to who%Prov$den&e has )$ven even a %oderate share o' r$)ht $ntell$)en&e o#)htto -now that $n t$%es o' &$v$l str$'e there $s no res+$te 'ro% tro#ble

t$ll the v$&tors %a-e an end o' 'eed$n) the$r )r#d)e by &o%bats andban$sh%ents and e0et$ons( and o' wrea-$n) the$r ven)ean&e on the$rene%$es. They sho#ld %aster the%selves and( ena&t$n) $%+art$al laws('ra%ed not to )rat$'y the%selves %ore than the &on2#ered +arty( sho#ld&o%+el %en to obey these by two restra$n$n) 'or&es( res+e&t and 'ear,'ear( be&a#se they are the %asters and &an d$s+lay s#+er$or 'or&e,res+e&t( be&a#se they r$se s#+er$or to +leas#res and are w$ll$n) andable to be servants to the laws. There $s no other way save th$s 'orter%$nat$n) the tro#bles o' a &$ty that $s $n a state o' &$v$l str$'e,


11/22

b#t a &onstant &ont$n#an&e o' $nternal d$sorders( str#))les( hatredand %#t#al d$str#st $s the &o%%on lot o' &$t$es wh$&h are $n that+l$)ht.

There'ore( those who have 'or the t$%e be$n) )a$ned the #++er hand(when they des$re to sere the$r +os$t$on( %#st by the$r own a&t and

&ho$&e sele&t 'ro% all Hellas %en who% they have as&erta$ned to bethe best 'or the +#r+ose. These %#st $n the '$rst +la&e be %en o'%at#re years( who have &h$ldren and w$ves at ho%e( and( as 'ar as+oss$ble( a lon) l$ne o' an&estors o' )ood re+#te( and all %#st be+ossessed o' s#''$&$ent +ro+erty. or a &$ty o' ten tho#sand ho#seholdersthe$r n#%bers sho#ld be '$'ty, that $s eno#)h. These they %#st $nd#&eto &o%e 'ro% the$r own ho%es by entreat$es and the +ro%$se o' theh$)hest hono#rs, and hav$n) $nd#&ed the% to &o%e they %#st entreatand &o%%and the% to draw #+ laws a'ter b$nd$n) the%selves by oathto show no +art$al$ty e$ther to &on2#erors or to &on2#ered( b#t to)$ve e2#al and &o%%on r$)hts to the whole State.

!hen laws have been ena&ted( what everyth$n) then h$n)es on $s th$s.

I' the &on2#erors show %ore obed$en&e to the laws than the &on2#ered(the whole State w$ll be '#ll o' ser$ty and ha++$ness( and therew$ll be an es&a+e 'ro% all yo#r tro#bles. B#t $' they do not( thendo not s#%%on %e or any other hel+er to a$d yo# a)a$nst those whodo not obey the &o#nsel I now )$ve yo#. or th$s &o#rse $s a-$n tothat wh$&h D$on and I atte%+ted to &arry o#t w$th o#r hearts set onthe wel'are o' Syrase. It $s $ndeed a se&ond best &o#rse. The '$rstand best was that s&he%e o' wel'are to all %an-$nd wh$&h we atte%+tedto &arry o#t w$th the &o1o+erat$on o' D$onys$os, b#t so%e &han&e(%$)ht$er than %en( bro#)ht $t to noth$n). Do yo# now( w$th )ood 'ort#neattend$n) yo# and w$th Heaven7s hel+( try to br$n) yo#r e''orts toa ha++$er $ss#e.

Let th$s be the end o' %y adv$&e and $n#n&t$on and o' the narrat$veo' %y '$rst v$s$t to D$onys$os. !hoever w$shes %ay ne0t hear o' %yse&ond o#rney and voya)e( and learn that $t was a reasonable ands#$table +ro&eed$n). *y '$rst +er$od o' res$den&e $n S$&$ly was o&+$ed$n the way wh$&h I related be'ore )$v$n) %y adv$&e to the relat$vesand 'r$ends o' D$on. A'ter those events I +ers#aded D$onys$os by s#&har)#%ents as I &o#ld to let %e )o, and we %ade an a)ree%ent as towhat sho#ld be done when +ea&e was %ade, 'or at that t$%e there wasa state o' war $n S$&$ly. D$onys$os sa$d that( when he had +#t thea''a$rs o' h$s e%+$re $n a +os$t$on o' )reater sa'ety 'or h$%sel'(he wo#ld send 'or D$on and %e a)a$n, and he des$red that D$on sho#ldre)ard what had be'allen h$% not as an e0$le( b#t as a &han)e o' res$den&e.I a)reed to &o%e a)a$n on these &ond$t$ons.

!hen +ea&e had been %ade( he be)an send$n) 'or %e, he re2#ested thatD$on sho#ld wa$t 'or another year( b#t be))ed that I sho#ld by all%eans &o%e. D$on now -e+t #r)$n) and entreat$n) %e to )o. or +ers$stentr#%o#rs &a%e 'ro% S$&$ly that D$onys$os was now on&e %ore +ossessedby an e0traord$nary des$re 'or +h$loso+hy. or th$s reason D$on +ressed%e #r)ently not to de&l$ne h$s $nv$tat$on. B#t tho#)h I was well awarethat as re)ards +h$loso+hy s#&h sy%+to%s were not #n&o%%on $n yo#n)%en( st$ll $t see%ed to %e sa'er at that t$%e to +art &o%+any alto)etherw$th D$on and D$onys$os, and I o''ended both o' the% by re+ly$n) that


12/22

I was an old %an( and that the ste+s now be$n) ta-en were 2#$te atvar$an&e w$th the +rev$o#s a)ree%ent.

A'ter th$s( $t see%s( Ar&hytes &a%e to the &o#rt o' D$onys$os. Be'ore%y de+art#re I had bro#)ht h$% and h$s Tarent$ne &$r&le $nto 'r$endlyrelat$ons w$th D$onys$os. There were so%e others $n Syrase who had

re&e$ved so%e $nstr#&t$on 'ro% D$on( and others had learnt 'ro% these()ett$n) the$r heads '#ll o' erroneo#s tea&h$n) on +h$loso+h$&al 2#est$ons.These( $t see%s( were atte%+t$n) to hold d$sss$ons w$th D$onys$oson 2#est$ons &onne&ted w$th s#&h s#be&ts( $n the $dea that he hadbeen '#lly $nstr#&ted $n %y v$ews. Now $s not at all devo$d o' nat#ral)$'ts 'or learn$n)( and he has a )reat &rav$n) 'or hono#r and )lory.!hat was sa$d +robably +leased h$%( and he 'elt so%e sha%e when $tbe&a%e &lear that he had not ta-en advanta)e o' %y tea&h$n) d#r$n)%y v$s$t. or these reasons he &on&e$ved a des$re 'or %ore de'$n$te$nstr#&t$on( and h$s love o' )lory was an add$t$onal $n&ent$ve toh$%. The real reasons why he had learnt noth$n) d#r$n) %y +rev$o#sv$s$t have #st been set 'orth $n the +re&ed$n) narrat$ve. A&&ord$n)ly(now that I was sa'e at ho%e and had re'#sed h$s se&ond $nv$tat$on(as I #st now related( D$onys$os see%s to have 'elt all %anner o'an0$ety lest &erta$n +eo+le sho#ld s#++ose that I was #nw$ll$n) tov$s$t h$% a)a$n be&a#se I had 'or%ed a +oor o+$n$on o' h$s nat#ral)$'ts and &hara&ter( and be&a#se( -now$n) as I d$d h$s %anner o' l$'e(I d$sa++roved o' $t.

It $s r$)ht 'or %e to s+ea- the tr#th( and %a-e no &o%+la$nt $' anyone(a'ter hear$n) the 'a&ts( 'or%s a +oor o+$n$on o' %y +h$loso+hy( andth$n-s that the tyrant was $n the r$)ht. D$onys$os now $nv$ted %e'or the th$rd t$%e( send$n) a tr$re%e to ens#re %e &o%'ort on thevoya)e, he sent also Ar&hede%os1one o' those who had s+ent so%e t$%ew$th Ar&hytes( and o' who% he s#++osed that I had a h$)her o+$n$onthan o' any o' the S$&$l$an /ree-s1and( w$th h$%( other %en o' re+#te$n S$&$ly. These all bro#)ht the sa%e re+ort( that D$onys$os had %ade+ro)ress $n +h$loso+hy. He also sent a very lon) letter( -now$n) ashe d$d %y relat$ons w$th D$on and D$on7s ea)erness also that I sho#ldta-e sh$+ and )o to Syrase. The letter was 'ra%ed $n $ts o+en$n)senten&es to %eet all these &ond$t$ons( and the tenor o' $t was as'ollows4 6D$onys$os to Plato(6 here 'ollowed the sto%ary )reet$n)and $%%ed$ately a'ter $t he sa$d( 6I' $n &o%+l$an&e w$th o#r re2#estyo# &o%e now( $n the '$rst +la&e( D$on7s a''a$rs w$ll be dealt w$th$n whatever way yo# yo#rsel' des$re, I -now that yo# w$ll des$re what$s reasonable( and I shall &onsent to $t. B#t $' not( none o' D$on7sa''a$rs w$ll have res#lts $n a&&ordan&e w$th yo#r w$shes( w$th re)arde$ther to D$on h$%sel' or to other %atters.6 Th$s he sa$d $n thesewords, the rest $t wo#ld be ted$o#s and $no++ort#ne to 2#ote. Otherletters arr$ved 'ro% Ar&hytes and the Tarent$nes( +ra$s$n) the +h$loso+h$&al

st#d$es o' D$onys$os and say$n) that( $' I d$d not now &o%e( I sho#ld&a#se a &o%+lete r#+t#re $n the$r 'r$endsh$+ w$th D$onys$os( wh$&hhad been bro#)ht abo#t by %e and was o' no s%all $%+ortan&e to the$r+ol$t$&al $nterests.

!hen th$s $nv$tat$on &a%e to %e at that t$%e $n s#&h ter%s( and thosewho had &o%e 'ro% S$&$ly and Italy were try$n) to dra) %e th$ther(wh$le %y 'r$ends at Athens were l$terally +#sh$n) %e o#t w$th the$r#r)ent entreat$es( $t was the sa%e old tale1that I %#st not betray


13/22

D$on and %y Tarent$ne 'r$ends and s#++orters. Also I %ysel' had al#r-$n) 'eel$n) that there was noth$n) s#r+r$s$n) $n the 'a&t thata yo#n) %an( 2#$&- to learn( hear$n) tal- o' the )reat tr#ths o' +h$loso+hy(sho#ld 'eel a &rav$n) 'or the h$)her l$'e. I tho#)ht there'ore thatI %#st +#t the %atter de'$n$tely to the test to see whether h$s des$rewas )en#$ne or the reverse( and on no a&&o#nt leave s#&h an $%+#lse#na$ded nor %a-e %ysel' res+ons$ble 'or s#&h a dee+ and real d$s)ra&e($' the re+orts bro#)ht by anyone were really tr#e. So bl$nd'old$n)%ysel' w$th th$s re'le&t$on( I set o#t( w$th %any 'ears and w$th novery 'avo#rable ant$&$+at$ons( as was nat#ral eno#)h. However( I went(and %y a&t$on on th$s o&&as$on at any rate was really a &ase o' 6theth$rd to the Preserver(6 'or I had the )ood 'ort#ne to ret#rn sa'ely,and 'or th$s I %#st( ne0t to the /od( than- D$onys$os( be&a#se( tho#)h%any w$shed to %a-e an end o' %e( he +revented the% and +a$d so%e+ro+er res+e&t to %y s$t#at$on.

On %y arr$val( I tho#)ht that '$rst I %#st +#t to the test the 2#est$onwhether D$onys$os had really been -$ndled w$th the '$re o' +h$loso+hy(or whether all the re+orts wh$&h had &o%e to Athens were e%+ty r#%o#rs.Now there $s a way o' +#tt$n) s#&h th$n)s to the test wh$&h $s notto be des+$sed and $s well s#$ted to %onar&hs( es+e&$ally to thosewho have )ot the$r heads '#ll o' erroneo#s tea&h$n)( wh$&h $%%ed$ately%y arr$val I 'o#nd to be very %#&h the &ase w$th D$onys$os. One sho#ldshow s#&h %en what +h$loso+hy $s $n all $ts e0tent, what the$r ran)eo' st#d$es $s by wh$&h $t $s a++roa&hed( and how %#&h labo#r $t $nvolves.or the %an who has heard th$s( $' he has the tr#e +h$loso+h$& s+$r$tand that )odl$-e te%+era%ent wh$&h %a-es h$% a -$n to +h$loso+hy andworthy o' $t( th$n-s that he has been told o' a %arvello#s road ly$n)be'ore h$%( that he %#st 'orthw$th +ress on w$th all h$s stren)th(and that l$'e $s not worth l$v$n) $' he does anyth$n) else. A'terth$s he #ses to the '#ll h$s own +owers and those o' h$s )#$de $nthe +ath( and rela0es not h$s e''orts( t$ll he has e$ther rea&hedthe end o' the whole &o#rse o' st#dy or )a$ned s#&h +ower that he

$s not $n&a+able o' d$re&t$n) h$s ste+s w$tho#t the a$d o' a )#$de.Th$s $s the s+$r$t and these are the tho#)hts by wh$&h s#&h a %an)#$des h$s l$'e( &arry$n) o#t h$s wor-( whatever h$s o&+at$on %aybe( b#t thro#)ho#t $t all ever &leav$n) to +h$loso+hy and to s#&hr#les o' d$et $n h$s da$ly l$'e as w$ll )$ve h$% $nward sobr$ety andtherew$th 2#$&-ness $n learn$n)( a )ood %e%ory( and reason$n) +ower,the -$nd o' l$'e wh$&h $s o++osed to th$s he &ons$stently hates. Thosewho have not the tr#e +h$loso+h$& te%+er( b#t a %ere s#r'a&e &olo#r$n)o' o+$n$ons +enetrat$n)( l$-e s#nb#rn( only s-$n dee+( when they seehow )reat the ran)e o' st#d$es $s( how %#&h labo#r $s $nvolved $n$t( and how ne&essary to the +#rs#$t $t $s to have an orderly re)#lat$ono' the da$ly l$'e( &o%e to the &on&l#s$on that the th$n) $s d$''$ltand $%+oss$ble 'or the%( and are a&t#ally $n&a+able o' &arry$n) o#t

the &o#rse o' st#dy, wh$le so%e o' the% +ers#ade the%selves that theyhave s#''$&$ently st#d$ed the whole %atter and have no need o' any'#rther e''ort. Th$s $s the s#re test and $s the sa'est one to a++lyto those who l$ve $n l#0#ry and are $n&a+able o' &ont$n#o#s e''ort,$t ens#res that s#&h a %an shall not throw the bla%e #+on h$s tea&herb#t on h$%sel'( be&a#se he &annot br$n) to the +#rs#$t all the 2#al$t$esne&essary to $t. Th#s $t &a%e abo#t that I sa$d to D$onys$os whatI d$d say on that o&&as$on.


14/22


15/22

has $ts e0$sten&e( not $n words nor $n bod$ly sha+es( b#t $n so#ls1'ro%wh$&h $t $s dear that $t $s so%eth$n) d$''erent 'ro% the nat#re o'the &$r&le $tsel' and 'ro% the three th$n)s %ent$oned be'ore. O' theseth$n)s $ntell$)en&e &o%es &losest $n -$nsh$+ and l$-eness to the '$'th(and the others are 'arther d$stant.

The sa%e a++l$es to stra$)ht as well as to &$rlar 'or%( to &olo#rs(to the )ood( the( bea#t$'#l( the #st( to all bod$es whether %an#'a&t#redor &o%$n) $nto be$n) $n the &o#rse o' nat#re( to '$re( water( andall s#&h th$n)s( to every l$v$n) be$n)( to &hara&ter $n so#ls( andto all th$n)s done and s#''ered. or $n the &ase o' all these( noone( $' he has not so%e how or other )ot hold o' the 'o#r th$n)s '$rst%ent$oned( &an ever be &o%+letely a +arta-er o' -nowled)e o' the '$'th.#rther( on a&&o#nt o' the wea-ness o' lan)#a)e( these


16/22

as the %$nd %oves #+ and down to ea&h $n t#rn( does a'ter %#&h e''ort)$ve b$rth $n a well1&onst$t#ted %$nd to -nowled)e o' that wh$&h $swell &onst$t#ted. B#t $' a %an $s $ll1&onst$t#ted by nat#re


17/22

abo#t that I d$d not &ont$n#e %y tea&h$n) $n a se&ond and th$rd lessonand yet o'tener. Does D$onys$os( a'ter a s$n)le lesson( bel$eve h$%sel'to -now the %atter( and has he an ade2#ate -nowled)e o' $t( e$theras hav$n) d$s&overed $t 'or h$%sel' or learnt $t be'ore 'ro% others(or does he bel$eve %y tea&h$n) to be worthless( or( th$rdly( to bebeyond h$s ran)e and too )reat 'or h$%( and h$%sel' to be really #nableto l$ve as one who )$ves h$s %$nd to w$sdo% and v$rt#e5 or $' heth$n-s $t worthless( he w$ll have to &ontend w$th %any who say theo++os$te( and who wo#ld be held $n 'ar h$)her re+#te as #d)es thanD$onys$os( $' on the other hand( he th$n-s he has d$s&overed or learntthe th$n)s and that they are worth hav$n) as +art o' a l$beral ed#&at$on(how &o#ld he( #nless he $s an e0traord$nary +erson( have so re&-lesslyd$shono#red the %aster who has led the way $n these s#be&ts5 Howhe d$shono#red h$%( I w$ll now state.

;+ to th$s t$%e he had allowed D$on to re%a$n $n +ossess$on o' h$s+ro+erty and to re&e$ve the $n&o%e 'ro% $t. B#t not lon) a'ter the'ore)o$n) events( as $' he had ent$rely 'or)otten h$s letter to thate''e&t( he no lon)er allowed D$on7s tr#stees to send h$% re%$ttan&esto the Pelo+onnese( on the +reten&e that the owner o' the +ro+ertywas not D$on b#t D$on7s son( h$s own ne+hew( o' who% he h$%sel' wasle)ally the tr#stee. These were the a&t#al 'a&ts wh$&h o&rred #+to the +o$nt wh$&h we have rea&hed. They had o+ened %y eyes as tothe val#e o' D$onys$os7 des$re 'or +h$loso+hy( and I had every r$)htto &o%+la$n( whether I w$shed to do so or not. Now by th$s t$%e $twas s#%%er and the season 'or sea voya)es, there'ore I de&$ded thatI %#st not be ve0ed w$th D$onys$os rather than w$th %ysel' and thosewho had 'or&ed %e to &o%e 'or the th$rd t$%e $nto the stra$t o' S&ylla(that on&e a)a$n I %$)ht to 'ell :harybd$s %eas#re ba&- %y &o#rse(b#t %#st tell D$onys$os that $t was $%+oss$ble 'or %e to re%a$n a'terth$s o#tra)e had been +#t #+on D$on. He tr$ed to soothe %e and be))ed%e to re%a$n( not th$n-$n) $t des$rable 'or h$%sel' that I sho#ldarr$ve +ost haste $n +erson as the bearer o' s#&h t$d$n)s. !hen h$s

entreat$es +rod#&ed no e''e&t( he +ro%$sed that he h$%sel' wo#ld +rov$de%e w$th trans+ort. or %y $ntent$on was to e%bar- on one o' the trad$n)sh$+s and sa$l away( be$n) $nd$)nant and th$n-$n) $t %y d#ty to 'a&eall dan)ers( $n &ase I was +revented 'ro% )o$n)1s$n&e +la$nly andobv$o#sly I was do$n) no wron)( b#t was the +arty wron)ed.

See$n) %e not at all $n&l$ned to stay( he dev$sed the 'ollow$n) s&he%eto %a-e %e stay d#r$n) that sad$n) season. On the ne0t day he &a%eto %e and %ade a +la#s$ble +ro+osal4 6Let #s +#t an end(6 he sa$d(6to these &onstant 2#arrels between yo# and %e abo#t D$on and h$sa''a$rs. or yo#r sa-e I w$ll do th$s 'or D$on. I re2#$re h$% to ta-eh$s own +ro+erty and res$de $n the Pelo+onnese( not as an e0$le( b#ton the #nderstand$n) that $t $s o+en 'or h$% to %$)rate here( when

th$s ste+ has the o$nt a++roval o' h$%sel'( %e( and yo# h$s 'r$ends,and th$s shall be o+en to h$% on the #nderstand$n) that he does not+lot a)a$nst %e. "o# and yo#r 'r$ends and D$on7s 'r$ends here %#stbe s#ret$es 'or h$% $n th$s( and he %#st )$ve yo# ser$ty. Let the'#nds wh$&h he re&e$ves be de+os$ted $n the Pelo+onnese and at Athens(w$th +ersons a++roved by yo#( and let D$on enoy the $n&o%e 'ro% the%b#t have no +ower to ta-e the% o#t o' de+os$t w$tho#t the a++rovalo' yo# and yo#r 'r$ends. or I have no )reat &on'$den&e $n h$%( that($' he has th$s +ro+erty at h$s d$s+osal( he w$ll a&t #stly towards


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%e( 'or $t w$ll be no s%all a%o#nt, b#t I have %ore &on'$den&e $nyo# and yo#r 'r$ends. See $' th$s sat$s'$es yo#, and on these &ond$t$onsre%a$n 'or the +resent year( and at the ne0t season yo# shall de+artta-$n) the +ro+erty w$th yo#. I a% 2#$te s#re that D$on w$ll be )rate'#lto yo#( $' yo# a&&o%+l$sh so %#&h on h$s behal'.6

!hen I heard th$s +ro+osal I was ve0ed( b#t a'ter re'le&t$on sa$dI wo#ld let h$% -now %y v$ew o' $t on the 'ollow$n) day. !e a)reedto that e''e&t 'or the %o%ent( and a'terwards when I was by %ysel'I +ondered the %atter $n %#&h d$stress. The '$rst re'le&t$on that&a%e #+( lead$n) the way $n %y sel'1&o%%#n$n)( was th$s4 6:o%e s#++osethat D$onys$os $ntends to do none o' the th$n)s wh$&h he has %ent$oned(b#t that( a'ter %y de+art#re( he wr$tes a +la#s$ble letter to D$on(and orders several o' h$s &reat#res to wr$te to the sa%e e''e&t( tell$n)h$% o' the +ro+osal wh$&h he has now %ade to %e( %a-$n) o#t that hewas w$ll$n) to do what he +ro+osed( b#t that I re'#sed and &o%+letelyne)le&ted D$on7s $nterests. #rther( s#++ose that he $s not w$ll$n)to allow %y de+art#re( and w$tho#t )$v$n) +ersonal orders to any o'the %er&hants( %a-es $t &lear( as he eas$ly &an( to all that he notw$sh %e to sa$l( w$ll anyone &onsent to ta-e %e as a +assen)er( whenI leave the ho#se4 o' D$onys$os56

or $n add$t$on to %y other tro#bles( I was lod)$n) at that t$%e $nthe )arden wh$&h s#rro#nd h$s ho#se( 'ro% wh$&h even the )ate-ee+erwo#ld have re'#sed to let %e )o( #nless an order had been sent toh$% 'ro% D$onys$os. 6S#++ose however that I wa$t 'or the year( I shallbe able to wr$te word o' these th$n)s to D$on( stat$n) the +os$t$on$n wh$&h I a%( and the ste+s wh$&h I a% try$n) to ta-e. And $' D$onys$osdoes any o' the th$n)s wh$&h he says( I shall have a&&o%+l$shed so%eth$n)that $s not alto)ether to be sneered at, 'or D$on7s +ro+erty $s( ata 'a$r est$%ate( +erha+s not less than a h#ndred talents. I' howeverthe +ros+e&t wh$&h I see loo%$n) $n the '#t#re ta-es the &o#rse wh$&h%ay reasonably be e0+e&ted( I -now not what I shall do w$th %ysel'.St$ll $t $s +erha+s ne&essary to )o on wor-$n) 'or a year( and toatte%+t to +rove by a&t#al 'a&t the %a&h$nat$ons o' D$onys$os.6

Hav$n) &o%e to th$s de&$s$on( on the 'ollow$n) day I sa$d to D$onys$os(6I have de&$ded to re%a$n. B#t(6 I &ont$n#ed( 6I %#st as- that yo#w$ll not re)ard %e as e%+owered to a&t 'or D$on( b#t w$ll alon) w$th%e wr$te a letter to h$%( stat$n) what has now been de&$ded( and en2#$rewhether th$s &o#rse sat$s'$es h$%. I' $t does not( and $' he has otherw$shes and de%ands( he %#st wr$te +art$lars o' the% as soon as +oss$ble(and yo# %#st not as yet ta-e any hasty ste+ w$th re)ard to h$s $nterests.6

Th$s was what was sa$d and th$s was the a)ree%ent wh$&h was %ade(al%ost $n these words. !ell( a'ter th$s the trad$n)1sh$+s too- the$rde+art#re( and $t was no lon)er +oss$ble 'or %e to ta-e %$ne( whenD$onys$os( $' yo# +lease( addressed %e w$th the re%ar- that hal' the+ro+erty %#st be re)arded as belon)$n) to D$on and hal' to h$s son.There'ore( he sa$d( he wo#ld sell $t( and when $t was sold wo#ld )$vehal' to %e to ta-e away( and wo#ld leave hal' on the s+ot 'or theson. Th$s &o#rse( he sa$d( was the %ost #st. Th$s +ro+osal was ablow to %e( and I tho#)ht $t abs#rd to ar)#e any lon)er w$th h$%,however( I sa$d that we %#st wa$t 'or D$on7s letter( and then on&e%ore wr$te to tell h$% o' th$s new +ro+osal. H$s ne0t ste+ was the


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br$ll$ant one o' sell$n) the whole o' D$on7s +ro+erty( #s$n) h$s ownd$s&ret$on w$th re)ard to the %anner and ter%s o' the sale and o'the +#r&hasers. He s+o-e not a word to %e abo#t the %atter 'ro% be)$nn$n)to end( and I 'ollowed h$s e0a%+le and never tal-ed to h$% a)a$n abo#tD$on7s a''a$rs, 'or I d$d not th$n- that I &o#ld do any )ood by do$n)so. Th$s $s the h$story so 'ar o' %y e''orts to &o%e to the reseo' +h$loso+hy and o' %y 'r$ends.

A'ter th$s D$onys$os and I went on w$th o#r da$ly l$'e( I w$th %yeyes t#rned abroad l$-e a b$rd yearn$n) to 'ly 'ro% $ts +er&h( andhe always dev$s$n) so%e new way o' s&ar$n) %e ba&- and o' -ee+$n)a t$)ht hold on D$on7s +ro+erty. However( we )ave o#t to all S$&$lythat we were 'r$ends. D$onys$os( now desert$n) the +ol$&y o' h$s 'ather(atte%+ted to lower the +ay o' the older %e%bers o' h$s body )#ard.The sold$ers were '#r$o#s( and( asse%bl$n) $n )reat n#%bers( de&laredthat they wo#ld not s#b%$t. He atte%+ted to #se 'or&e to the%( sh#tt$n)the )ates o' the a&ro+ol$s, b#t they &har)ed stra$)ht 'or the walls(yell$n) o#t an #n$ntell$)$ble and 'ero&$o#s war &ry. D$onys$os too-'r$)ht and &on&eded all the$r de%ands and %ore to the +eltasts thenasse%bled.

A r#%o#r soon s+read that Hera&le$des had been the &a#se o' all thetro#ble. Hear$n) th$s( Hera&le$des -e+t o#t o' the way. D$onys$oswas try$n) to )et hold o' h$%( and be$n) #nable to do so( sent 'orTheodotes to &o%e to h$% $n h$s )arden. It ha++ened that I was wal-$n)$n the )arden at the sa%e t$%e. I ne$ther -now nor d$d I hear therest o' what +assed between the%( b#t what Theodotes sa$d to D$onys$os$n %y +resen&e I -now and re%e%ber. 6Plato(6 he sa$d( 6I a% try$n)to &onv$n&e o#r 'r$end D$onys$os that( $' I a% able to br$n) Hera&le$desbe'ore #s to de'end h$%sel' on the &har)es wh$&h have been %ade a)a$nsth$%( and $' he de&$des that Hera&le$des %#st no lon)er l$ve $n S$&$ly(he sho#ld be allowed


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be'ore h$% $n tears( too- h$s hand and entreated h$% to do noth$n)o' the sort. B#t I bro-e $n and tr$ed to en&o#ra)e h$%( say$n)4 6Beo' )ood &heer( Theodotes, D$onys$os w$ll not have the heart to ta-eany 'resh ste+ &ontrary to h$s +ro%$ses o' yesterday.6 $0$n) h$seye on %e( and ass#%$n) h$s %ost a#to&rat$& a$r he sa$d( 6To yo# I+ro%$sed noth$n) s%all or )reat.6 6By the )ods(6 I sa$d( 6yo# d$d+ro%$se that 'orbearan&e 'or wh$&h o#r 'r$end here now a++eals.6 !$ththese words I t#rned away and went o#t. A'ter th$s he &ont$n#ed theh#nt 'or Hera&le$des( and Theodotes( send$n) %essa)es( #r)ed Hera&le$desto ta-e 'l$)ht. D$onys$os sent o#t Te$s$as and so%e +eltasts w$thorders to +#rs#e h$%. B#t Hera&le$des( as $t was sa$d( was #st $nt$%e( by a s%all 'ra&t$on o' a day( $n %a-$n) h$s es&a+e $nto :artha)$n$anterr$tory.

A'ter th$s D$onys$os tho#)ht that h$s lon) &her$shed s&he%e not torestore D$on7s +ro+erty wo#ld )$ve h$% a +la#s$ble e0se 'or host$l$tytowards %e, and '$rst o' all he sent %e o#t o' the a&ro+ol$s( '$nd$n)a +rete0t that the wo%en were obl$)ed to hold a sa&r$'$&$al serv$&e'or ten days $n the )arden $n wh$&h I had %y lod)$n). He there'oreordered %e to stay o#ts$de $n the ho#se o' Ar&hede%os d#r$n) th$s+er$od. !h$le I was there( Theodotes sent 'or %e and %ade a )reato#t+o#r$n) o' $nd$)nat$on at these o&rren&es( throw$n) the bla%eon D$onys$os. Hear$n) that I had been to see Theodotes he re)ardedth$s( as another e0se( s$ster to the +rev$o#s one( 'or 2#arrell$n)w$th %e. Send$n) a %essen)er he en2#$red $' I had really been &on'err$n)w$th Theodotes on h$s $nv$tat$on 6:erta$nly(6 I re+l$ed( 6!ell(6 &ont$n#edthe %essen)er( 6he ordered %e to tell yo# that yo# are not a&t$n)at all well $n +re'err$n) always D$on and D$on7s 'r$ends to h$%.6

And he d$d not send 'or %e to ret#rn to h$s ho#se( as tho#)h $t werenow &lear that Theodotes and Hera&le$des were %y 'r$ends( and he %yene%y. He also tho#)ht that I had no -$nd 'eel$n)s towards h$% be&a#sethe +ro+erty o' D$on was now ent$rely done 'or.

A'ter th$s I res$ded o#ts$de the a&ro+ol$s a%on) the %er&enar$es.Var$o#s +eo+le then &a%e to %e( a%on) the% those o' the sh$+s7 &rewswho &a%e 'ro% Athens( %y own 'ellow &$t$3ens( and re+orted that Iwas ev$l s+o-en o' a%on) the +eltasts( and that so%e o' the% werethreaten$n) to %a-e an end o' %e( $' they &o#ld -et hold o' %e A&&ord$n)lyI dev$sed the 'ollow$n) +lan 'or %y sa'ety.

I sent to Ar&hytes and %y other 'r$ends $n Taras( tell$n) the% the+l$)ht I was $n. $nd$n) so%e e0se 'or an e%bassy 'ro% the$r &$ty(they sent a th$rty1oared )alley w$th La%$s&os( one o' the%selves(who &a%e and entreated D$onys$os abo#t %e( say$n) that I wanted to)o( and that he sho#ld on no a&&o#nt stand $n %y way. He &onsentedand allowed %e to )o( )$v$n) %e %oney 'or the o#rney. B#t 'or D$on7s

+ro+erty I %ade no '#rther re2#est( nor was any o' $t restored.

I %ade %y way to the Pelo+onnese to Oly%+$a( where I 'o#nd D$on as+e&tator at the /a%es( and told h$% what had o&rred. :all$n) 8e#sto be h$s w$tness( he at on&e #r)ed %e w$th %y relat$ves and 'r$endsto %a-e +re+arat$ons 'or ta-$n) ven)ean&e on D$onys$os1o#r )ro#nd'or a&t$on be$n) the brea&h o' 'a$th to a )#est1so he +#t $t and re)arded$t( wh$le h$s own was h$s #n#st e0+#ls$on and ban$sh%ent. Hear$n)th$s( I told h$% that he %$)ht &all %y 'r$ends to h$s a$d( $' they


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w$shed to )o, 6B#t 'or %ysel'(6 I &ont$n#ed( 6yo# and others $n away 'or&ed %e to be the sharer o' D$onys$os7 table and hearth andh$s asso&$ate $n the a&ts o' rel$)$on. He +robably bel$eved the rrentslanders( that I was +lott$n) w$th yo# a)a$nst h$% and h$s des+ot$&r#le, yet 'eel$n)s o' s&r#+le +reva$led w$th h$%( and he s+ared %yl$'e. A)a$n( I a% hardly o' the a)e 'or be$n) &o%rade $n ar%s to anyone,also I stand as a ne#tral between yo#( $' ever yo# des$re 'r$endsh$+and w$sh to bene'$t one another, so lon) as yo# a$% at $n#r$n) oneanother( &all others to yo#r a$d.6 Th$s I sa$d( be&a#se I was d$s)#stedw$th %y %$s)#$ded o#rney$n)s to S$&$ly and %y $ll1'ort#ne there.B#t they d$sobeyed %e and wo#ld not l$sten to %y atte%+ts at re&on&$l$at$on(and so bro#)ht on the$r own heads all the ev$ls wh$&h have s$n&e ta-en+la&e. or $' D$onys$os had restored to D$on h$s +ro+erty or beenre&on&$led w$th h$% on any ter%s( none o' these th$n)s wo#ld haveha++ened( so 'ar as h#%an 'ores$)ht &an 'oretell. D$on wo#ld haveeas$ly been -e+t $n &he&- by %y w$shes and $n'l#en&e. B#t now( r#sh$n)#+on one another( they have &a#sed #n$versal d$saster.

D$on7s as+$rat$on however was the sa%e that I sho#ld say %y own orthat o' any other r$)ht1%$nded %an o#)ht to be. !$th re)ard to h$sown +ower( h$s 'r$ends and h$s &o#ntry the $deal o' s#&h a %an wo#ldbe to w$n the )reatest +ower and hono#r by render$n) the )reatestserv$&es. And th$s end $s not atta$ned $' a %an )ets r$&hes 'or h$%sel'(h$s s#++orters and h$s &o#ntry( by 'or%$n) +lots and )ett$n) to)ether&ons+$rators( be$n) all the wh$le a +oor &reat#re( not %aster o' h$%sel'(over&o%e by the &oward$&e wh$&h 'ears to '$)ht a)a$nst +leas#res,nor $s $t atta$ned $' he )oes on to -$ll the %en o' s#bstan&e( who%he s+ea-s o' as the ene%y( and to +l#nder the$r +ossess$ons( and $nv$tesh$s &on'ederates and s#++orters to do the sa%e( w$th the obe&t thatno one shall say that $t $s h$s 'a#lt( $' he &o%+la$ns o' be$n) +oor.The sa%e $s tr#e $' anyone renders serv$&es o' th$s -$nd to the Stateand re&e$ves hono#rs 'ro% her 'or d$str$b#t$n) by de&rees the +ro+ertyo' the 'ew a%on) the %any1or $'( be$n) $n &har)e the a''a$rs o' a

)reat State wh$&h r#les over %any s%all ones( he #n#stly a++ro+r$atesto h$s own State the +ossess$ons o' the s%all ones. or ne$ther aD$on nor any other %an w$ll( w$th h$s eyes o+en( %a-e h$s way by ste+sl$-e these to a +ower wh$&h w$ll be 'ra#)ht w$th destr#&t$on to h$%sel'and h$s des&endants 'or all t$%e, b#t he w$ll advan&e towards &onst$t#t$onal)overn%ent and the 'ra%$n) o' the #stest and best laws( rea&h$n)these ends w$tho#t e0et$ons and %#rders even on the s%allest s&ale.

Th$s &o#rse D$on a&t#ally 'ollowed( th$n-$n) $t +re'erable to s#''er$n$2#$to#s deeds rather than to do the%, b#t( wh$le ta-$n) +re&a#t$onsa)a$nst the%( he nevertheless( when he had rea&hed the &l$%a0 o' v$&toryover h$s ene%$es( too- a 'alse ste+ and 'ell( a &atastro+he not atall s#r+r$s$n). or a %an o' +$ety( te%+eran&e and w$sdo%( when deal$n)

w$th the $%+$o#s( wo#ld not be ent$rely bl$nd to the &hara&ter o's#&h %en( b#t $t wo#ld +erha+s not be s#r+r$s$n) $' he s#''ered the&atastro+he that %$)ht be'all a )ood sh$+7s &a+ta$n( who wo#ld notbe ent$rely #naware o' the a++roa&h o' a stor%( b#t %$)ht be #nawareo' $ts e0traord$nary and startl$n) v$olen&e( and %$)ht there'ore beoverwhel%ed by $ts 'or&e. The sa%e th$n) &a#sed D$on7s down'all. orhe was not #naware that h$s assa$lants were thoro#)hly bad %en( b#the was #naware how h$)h a +$t&h o' $n'at#at$on and o' )eneral w$&-ednessand )reed they had rea&hed. Th$s was the &a#se o' h$s down'all( wh$&h


22/22

has $nvolved S$&$ly $n &o#ntless sorrows.

As to the ste+s wh$&h sho#ld be ta-en a'ter the events wh$&h I havenow related( %y adv$&e has been )$ven +retty '#lly and %ay be re)ardedas '$n$shed, and $' yo# as- %y reasons 'or re&o#nt$n) the story o'%y se&ond o#rney to S$&$ly( $t see%ed to %e essent$al that an a&&o#nt

o' $t %#st be )$ven be&a#se o' the stran)e and +arado0$&al &hara&tero' the $n&$dents. I' $n th$s +resent a&&o#nt o' the% they a++ear toanyone %ore $ntell$)$ble( and see% to anyone to show s#''$&$ent )ro#nds$n v$ew o' the &$r%stan&es( the +resent state%ent $s ade2#ate andnot too len)thy.

THE END

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