'Heracles, I too am come to you, seeing that your parents are well
known to me, and in your nurture I have gauged your nature; wherefore
I entertain good hope that if you choose the path which leads to me,
you shall greatly bestir yourself to be the doer of many a doughty
deed of noble emprise; and that I too shall be held in even higher
honour for your sake, lit with the lustre shed by valorous deeds.[35]
I will not cheat you with preludings of pleasure,[36] but I will
relate to you the things that are according to the ordinances of God
in very truth. Know then that among things that are lovely and of good
report, not one have the gods bestowed upon mortal men apart from toil
and pains. Would you obtain the favour of the gods, then must you pay
these same gods service; would you be loved by your friends, you must
benefit these friends; do you desire to be honoured by the state, you
must give the state your aid; do you claim admiration for your virtue
from all Hellas, you must strive to do some good to Hellas; do you
wish earth to yield her fruits to you abundantly, to earth must you
pay your court; do you seek to amass riches from your flocks and
herds, on them must you bestow your labour; or is it your ambition to
be potent as a warrior, able to save your friends and to subdue your
foes, then must you learn the arts of war from those who have the
knowledge, and practise their application in the field when learned;
or would you e'en be powerful of limb and body, then must you
habituate limbs and body to obey the mind, and exercise yourself with
toil and sweat.'

[35] Or, "bathed in the splendour of thy virtues."

[36] Or, "honeyed overtures of pleasure."

"At this point, (as Prodicus relates) Vice broke in exclaiming: 'See