See Aristoph. "Clouds," i. 225; Plat. "Apol." 18 B, 19 B; Xen.
"Symp." vi. 7.

[5] Nothing is known of this person.

You are pleased to jest, Socrates (Ischomachus replied), in spite of
which I will recount to you those habits and pursuits by aid of which
I seek to traverse life's course. If I have read aright life's lesson,
it has taught me that, unless a man first discover what he needs to
do, and seriously study to bring the same to good effect, the gods
have placed prosperity[6] beyond his reach; and even to the wise and
careful they give or they withhold good fortune as seemeth to them
best. Such being my creed, I begin with service rendered to the gods;
and strive to regulate my conduct so that grace may be given me, in
answer to my prayers, to attain to health, and strength of body,
honour in my own city, goodwill among my friends, safety with renown
in war, and of riches increase, won without reproach.

[6] "The gods have made well-doing and well-being a thing impossible."
Cf. "Mem." III. ix. 7, 14.

I, when I heard these words, replied: And are you then indeed so
careful to grow rich, Ischomachus?--amassing wealth but to gain
endless trouble in its management?

Most certainly (replied Ischomachus), and most careful must I needs be
of the things you speak of. So sweet I find it, Socrates, to honour
God magnificently, to lend assistance to my friends in answer to their
wants, and, so far as lies within my power, not to leave my city
unadorned with anything which riches can bestow.