[17] Or, "in matters such as you insist on."

Isch. By a simple method, Socrates. When I see a man intent on
carefulness, I praise and do my best to honour him. When, on the other
hand, I see a man neglectful of his duties, I do not spare him: I try
in every way, by word and deed, to wound him.

Soc. Come now, Ischomachus, kindly permit a turn in the discussion,
which has hitherto concerned the persons being trained to carefulness
themselves, and explain a point in reference to the training process.
Is it possible for a man devoid of carefulness himself to render
others more careful?

No more possible (he answered) than for a man who knows no music to
make others musical.[18] If the teacher sets but an ill example, the
pupil can hardly learn to do the thing aright.[19] And if the master's
conduct is suggestive of laxity, how hardly shall his followers attain
to carefulness! Or to put the matter concisely, "like master like
man." I do not think I ever knew or heard tell of a bad master blessed
with good servants. The converse I certainly have seen ere now, a good
master and bad servants; but they were the sufferers, not he.[20] No,
he who would create a spirit of carefulness in others[21] must have
the skill himself to supervise the field of labour; to test, examine,
scrutinise.[22] He must be ready to requite where due the favour of a
service well performed, nor hesitate to visit the penalty of their
deserts upon those neglectful of their duty.[23] Indeed (he added),
the answer of the barbarian to the king seems aposite. You know the
story,[24] how the king had met with a good horse, but wished to give
the creature flesh and that without delay, and so asked some one
reputed to be clever about horses: "What will give him flesh most