The Symposium by Xenophon
page 90 of 102 (88%)
page 90 of 102 (88%)
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his property as "sa femme."
Again, let us consider the effect upon the object of attachment. Let him but know his beauty is a bond sufficient to enthrall his lover,[52] and what wonder if he be careless of all else and play the wanton. Let him discover, on the contrary, that if he would retain his dear affection he must himself be truly good and beautiful, and it is only natural he should become more studious of virtue. But the greatest blessing which descends on one beset with eager longing to convert the idol of his soul into a good man and true friend is this: necessity is laid upon himself to practise virtue; since how can he hope to make his comrade good, if he himself works wickedness? Is it conceivable that the example he himself presents of what is shameless and incontinent,[53] will serve to make the beloved one temperate and modest? [52] Or, "that by largess of beauty he can enthrall his lover." [53] See Plat. "Symp." 182 A, 192 A. I have a longing, Callias, by mythic argument[54] to show you that not men only, but gods and heroes, set greater store by friendship of the soul than bodily enjoyment. Thus those fair women[55] whom Zeus, enamoured of their outward beauty, wedded, he permitted mortal to remain; but those heroes whose souls he held in admiration, these he raised to immortality. Of whom are Heracles and the Dioscuri, and there are others also named.[56] As I maintain, it was not for his body's sake, but for his soul's, that Ganymede[57] was translated to Olympus, as the story goes, by Zeus. And to this his very name bears witness, for is it not written in Homer? |
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