[24] Cf. Plat. "Soph."

[25] Or, "earns but an evil reputation in the world."

[26] "They are being bearded in their dens."

I go back to my proposition then. Those self-seeking politicians, who
want to feather their own nests,[27] practise to win victories over
their own side, but the sportsman confines himself to the common
enemy. This training of theirs renders the one set more able to cope
with the foreign foe, the others far less able. The hunting of the one
is carried on with self-restraint, of the others with effrontery. The
one can look down with contempt upon maliciousness and sordid love of
gain, the other cannot. The very speech and intonation of the one has
melody, of the other harshness. And with regard to things divine, the
one set know no obstacle to their impiety, the others are of all men
the most pious. Indeed ancient tales affirm[28] that the very gods
themselves take joy in this work[29] as actors and spectators. So
that,[30] with due reflection on these things, the young who act upon
my admonitions will be found, perchance, beloved of heaven and
reverent of soul, checked by the thought that some one of the gods is
eyeing their performance.[31]

[27] Or, "Those people who would fain have the lion's share in the
state."

[28] Or, "an ancient story obtains."

[29] Sc. "of the chase."