to adorn." See
Aristot. "N. E." xi. 17. As to {auto to tetimesthai m. s.} I think
it is the {arkhon} who is honoured by the rest of men, which
{time} helps to adorn him. Others seem to think it is the
{paidika} who is honoured by the {arkhon}. If so, transl.: "The
mere distinction, the privilege alone of being highly honoured,
lends embellishment," etc.

Since then, by aid of equal ministrations, you are privileged to win not
equal but far deeper gratitude: it would seem to follow, considering
the vastly wider sphere of helpfulness which lies before you as
administrators, and the far grander scale of your largesses, I say it
naturally pertains to you to find yourselves much more beloved than
ordinary mortals; or if not, why not?

Hiero took up the challenge and without demur made answer: For this good
reason, best of poets, necessity constrains us, far more than ordinary
people, to be busybodies. We are forced to meddle with concerns which
are the very fount and springhead of half the hatreds of mankind.

We have moneys to exact if we would meet our necessary expenses. Guards
must be impressed and sentinels posted wherever there is need of watch
and ward. We have to chastise evil-doers; we must put a stop to those
who would wax insolent. (17) And when the season for swift action comes,
and it is imperative to expedite a force by land or sea, at such a
crisis it will not do for us to entrust the affair to easy-goers.

(17) Or, "curb the over-proud in sap and blood."

Further than that, the man who is a tyrant must have mercenaries, and of
all the burdens which the citizens are called upon to bear there is none
more onerous than this, since nothing will induce them to believe these
people are supported by the tyrant to add to his and their prestige,
(18) but rather for the sake of his own selfishness and greed.

(18) Reading with Breit. {eis timas}, or if the vulg. {isotimous},
transl. "as equal merely to themselves in privilege"; or if with
Schenkl (and Holden, ed. 3) {isotimias}, transl. "their firm
persuasion is these hirelings are not supported by the tyrant in
the interests of equality but of undue influence."

IX

To these arguments Simonides in turn made answer: Nay, Hiero, I am far
from stating that you have not all these divers matters to attend to.
They are serious duties, (1) I admit. But still, what strikes me is,
if half these grave responsibilities do l