(76) Lit. "Nay, nought of the things you tell us is incredible,
but..."

Truly it is not a ruinous service, Socrates (he answered)--far from it.
I give them thanks, which is not costly. I make return to them of all
they give to me from time to time. I speak well of them, with all the
strength I have. And whenever I take their sacred names to witness, I do
not wittingly falsify my word.

Then God be praised (said Socrates), if being what you are, you have
such friends; the gods themselves, it would appear, delight in nobleness
of soul. (77)

(77) {kalokagathia}, "beautiful and gentle manhood."

Thus, in solemn sort, the theme was handled, thus gravely ended.

But now it was the jester's turn, and so they fell to asking him: (78)
What could he see to pride himself upon so vastly in the art of making
people laugh?

(78) Lit. "now that they had come to Philippus (in the 'period' of
discussion), they..." Or read, after Hartman, "An. Xen." p.
242, {eken} (sc. {o logos}).

Surely I have good reason (he replied). The whole world knows my
business is to set them laughing, so when they are in luck's way,
they eagerly invite me to a share of it; but if ill betide them,
helter-skelter off they go, and never once turn back, (79) so fearful
are they I may set them laughing will he nill he.

(79) Plat. "Rep." 620 E; "Laws," 854 C.

Nic. Heavens! you have good reason to be proud; with me it is just the
opposite. When any of my friends are doing well, they take good care
to turn their backs on me, (80) but if ever it goes ill with them,
they claim relationship by birth, (81) and will not let their long-lost
cousin out of sight.

(80) Or, "they take good care to get out of my way," "they hold aloof
from me entirely."

(81) Or, "produce the family-pedigree and claim me for a cousin." Cf.
Lucian v., "Tim." 49; Ter. "Phorm." ii. 33, 45.

Charm. Well, well! and you, sir (turning to the Syracusan), what do you
pride yourself upon? No doubt, upon the boy?

The Syr. Not I, indeed; I am terribly afraid concerning him. It is plain
enough to me that certain people are contriving for his ruin. (82)

(82) {diaphtheirai} = (1) to destroy, make away with; (2) to ruin and
corrupt, seduce by bribes or otherwise.

Good gracious! (83) (Socrates exclaimed, when he heard that), what crime
can they conceive your boy is guilty of that they should wish to make an
end of him?

(83) Lit. "Heracles!" "Zounds!"