them from earth, so eager are they to be reckoned just
men, not by reason only of the gain derivable from justice, but through
passionate desire to deserve my praise--these in the end I treat as
free-born men. I make them wealthy, and not with riches only, but in
honour, as befits their gentle manliness. [11] For if, Socrates, there
be one point in which the man who thirsts for honour differs from him
who thirsts for gain, it is, I think, in willingness to toil, face
danger, and abstain from shameful gains--for the sake of honour only and
fair fame. [12]

[10] Lit. "Those, on the other hand, whom I discover to be roused" (to
honesty--not solely because honesty is the best policy).

[11] Or, "men of fair and noble type"; "true gentlemen." This passage
suggests the "silver lining to the cloud" of slavery.

[12] Cf. Hom. "Il." ix. 413, {oleto men moi nostos, atar kleos
aphthiton estai}, "but my fame shall be imperishable."

XV

Soc. But now, suppose, Ischomachus, you have created in the soul of some
one a desire for your welfare; have inspired in him not a mere passive
interest, but a deep concern to help you to achieve prosperity; further,
you have obtained for him a knowledge of the methods needed to give the
operations of the field some measure of success; you have, moreover,
made him capable of ruling; and, as the crowning point of all your
efforts, this same trusty person shows no less delight, than you might
take yourself, in laying at your feet [1] earth's products, each in
due season richly harvested--I need hardly ask concerning such an one,
whether aught else is lacking to him. It is clear to me [2] an overseer
of this sort would be worth his weight in gold. But now, Ischomachus,
I would have you not omit a topic somewhat lightly handled by us in the
previous argument. [3]

[1] {apodeiknuon}, i.e. in presenting the inventory of products for
the year. Cf. "Hell." V. iii. 17; "Revenues," ii. 7.

[2] {ede}, at this stage of the discussion.

[3] Or, "that part of the discussion which we ran over in a light and
airy fashion," in reference to xiii. 2.

What topic, pray, was that? (he asked).

Soc. You said, if I mistake not, that it was most important to learn
the methods of conducting the several processes of husbandry; for, you
added, unless a man knows what things he has to do and how to do them,
all the care and diligence in the world will stand him in no stead.

At this