I promised to meet some strangers, friends of mine,[2] at this place.

[2] "Foreign friends."

And when you have no such business on hand (I said) where in heaven's
name do you spend your time and how do you employ yourself? I will not
conceal from you how anxious I am to learn from your lips by what
conduct you have earned for yourself the title "beautiful and
good."[3] It is not by spending your days indoors at home, I am sure;
the whole habit of your body bears witness to a different sort of
life.

[3] "The sobriquet of 'honest gentleman.'"

Then Ischomachus, smiling at my question, but also, as it seemed to
me, a little pleased to be asked what he had done to earn the title
"beautiful and good," made answer: Whether that is the title by which
folk call me when they talk to you about me, I cannot say; all I know
is, when they challenge me to exchange properties,[4] or else to
perform some service to the state instead of them, the fitting out of
a trireme, or the training of a chorus, nobody thinks of asking for
the beautiful and good gentleman, but it is plain Ischomachus, the son
of So-and-so,[5] on whom the summons is served. But to answer your
question, Socrates (he proceeded), I certainly do not spend my days
indoors, if for no other reason, because my wife is quite capable of
managing our domestic affairs without my aid.

[4] On the antidosis or compulsory exchange of property, see Boeckh,
p. 580, Engl. ed.: "In case any man, upon whom a {leitourgia} was
imposed, considered that another was richer than himself, and