The Symposium by Xenophon
page 57 of 102 (55%)
page 57 of 102 (55%)
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[84] Cf. Plat. "Symp." 217 A. The Syr. Nay, in sooth, it is not on that I pride myself. Soc. Well, on what then? The Syr. Why, on the silly fools who come and see my puppet show.[85] I live on them. [85] "My marionettes." Cf. Herod. ii. 48; Lucian lxxii., "De Syr. d." 16; Aristot. "de Mund." 6. Phil. Ah yes! and that explains how the other day I heard you praying to the gods to grant you, wheresoe'er you chance to be, great store of corn and wine, but dearth of wits.[86] [86] Or, "of fruits abundance, but of wits a famine." Cf. Plat. "Rep." 546 A. His prayer resembles that of the thievish trader in Ovid, "Fast." v. 675 foll., "Grant me to-day my daily . . . fraud!" but in spite of himself (like Dogberry), he seems to pray to the gods to "write him down an ass"! Pass on (said Callias); now it is your turn, Socrates. What have you to say to justify your choice? How can you boast of so discredited an art?[87] [87] Sc. "the hold-door trade." He answered: Let us first decide[88] what are the duties of the good |
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