[5] Reading {didaskalion}, al. {didaskalion}, "systems." Schneid. cf.
Herod. v. 58.

To quote a dictum of Simon, what a horse does under compulsion he does
blindly, and his performance is no more beautiful than would be that
of a ballet-dancer taught by whip and goad. The performances of horse
or man so treated would seem to be displays of clumsy gestures rather
than of grace and beauty. What we need is that the horse should of his
own accord exhibit his finest airs and paces at set signals.[6]
Supposing, when he is in the riding-field,[7] you push him to a gallop
until he is bathed in sweat, and when he begins to prance and show his
airs to fine effect, you promptly dismount and take off the bit, you
may rely upon it he will of his own accord another time break into the
same prancing action. Such are the horses on which gods and heroes
ride, as represented by the artist. The majesty of men themselves is
best discovered in the graceful handling of such animals.[8] A horse
so prancing is indeed a thing of beauty, a wonder and a marvel;
riveting the gaze of all who see him, young alike and graybeards. They
will never turn their backs, I venture to predict, or weary of their
gazing so long as he continues to display his splendid action.

[6] Or, "by aids and signs," as we say.

[7] Or, "exercising-ground."

[8] Or, "and the man who knows how to manage such a creature
gracefully himself at once appears magnificent."

If the possessor of so rare a creature should find himself by chance