LXIV
It was the first and most striking characteristic of Socrates never to
become heated in discourse, never to utter an injurious or insulting
word--on the contrary, he persistently bore insult from others and thus
put an end to the fray. If you care to know the extent of his power
in this direction, read Xenophon's Banquet, and you will see how many
quarrels he put an end to. This is why the Poets are right in so highly
commending this faculty:--
Quickly and wisely withal even bitter feuds would he settle.
Nevertheless the practice is not very safe at present, especially in
Rome. One who adopts it, I need not say, ought not to carry it out in an
obscure corner, but boldly accost, if occasion serve, some personage of
rank or wealth.
"Can you tell me, sir, to whose care you entrust your horses?"
"I can."
"Is it to the first corner, who knows nothing about them?"
"Certainly not."
"Well, what of the man who takes care of your gold, your silver or your
raiment?"
"He must be experienced also."
"And your body--have you ever considered about entrusting it to any
one's care?"
"Of course I have."
"And no doubt to a person of experience as a trainer, a physician?"
"Surely."
"And these things the best you possess, or have you anything more
precious?"
"What can you mean?"
"I mean that which employs these; which weights all things; which takes
counsel and resolve.
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