Chapter 22 Volume 3 Chapter 5

Socrates and the young Pericles talk about ways to restore the Athenians to their ancient spirit and ambition.They should be inspired by the great deeds of their ancestors, v. 1-12.Let them know that idleness is the cause of their decline, v. 13.The system of their ancestors should be restored, or the practice of the Lakaidaimonians should be followed, v. 14.And should give great importance to the military, § 15-25.How to defend the territory of Athens from the enemy, §26-28. Socrates said once when he was talking to the son of Great White Likles, Little White Liklis, "Bi Liklis, let me tell you, since you are now a general, I hope that the city-state will be more advanced in terms of military technology. In order to be strong, become more glorious and defeat the enemy."

Pericles replied, "Socrates, I also hope to do what you said, but I don't know how to achieve it." "Would you like to discuss them with me and see how they can be realized?" asked Socrates. "I'd love to," replies Little White Chris. "You know that in numbers the Athenians are no less than the Boeotians (βDιωADC )? asked Socrates. "I know," Chris replied. "Do you think it is possible to select more strong and strong men from the Athenians or from the Boeotians?" "I don't think the Athenians are weak in this respect."

"Which of these two kinds of people do you think unites better?" "I thought it was the Athenians, because many Boeotians hated the Scybes for their avarice, but I could not see that in Athens." "And the Athenians are the most honor-loving and generous of men, virtues which will surely lead them to risk all dangers for their honor and their country." "Indeed, the people of Athens are indisputable in these respects." "No nation can be so proud of the great achievements of their ancestors as the Athenians; many people have been inspired and inspired, cultivated the excellent qualities of fortitude and determination, and became famous for their bravery."

"Socrates, all this you say is true; but, you see, since Tolmides and a thousand warriors were defeated at Lybadia, and Hippocrates at Dyleon, The glory of the Athenians to the Boeotians has been lost, and the pride of the Cybes to the Athenians has grown; formerly the Boeotians, even in their own territories, did not drive away the Dymenians and others. With the help of the Pelopanesians (THKDπDJJησιωJ), they did not dare to confront the Athenians, and now they alone dare to threaten to invade Attica, and the Athenians who had ravaged Boeotia before, now I'm afraid that the Boeotians will raze Attica to the ground."

"I am aware of the situation," said Socrates, "but I think the state is more favorable to any good general; for self-confidence breeds negligence, sloth, and disobedience, but fear It makes people pay more attention, obedience and order. In this regard, the actions of sailors are a good example. When they have nothing to fear, maybe they are just a bunch of rabble, but when they encounter a storm or When war breaks out, not only will they do what they are told to do, but they will also listen to the leader's command silently like a group of song and dance actors." "Since they are willing to obey orders," said Pericles, "it is time to speak of how they may be persuaded to endeavor to restore the ancient spirit, honor, and happiness."

"If we want people to claim an estate that has been taken by others," said Socrates, "the most effective way to induce them to make such a claim is to prove to them that the estate was originally owned by their ancestors. Inheritance; and since we desire eminent courage in them, let us prove to them that eminent courage they have had from ancient times, and that if they endeavor to restore it, they will be the most heroic of men." "How can we convince them?" "I think as long as we remind them, we know that their earliest ancestors were, as they themselves have heard, the most heroic men."

"Do you mean the judgement between the gods by Keklaps and their companions for their valor?" "Yes, that's what I mean, and I also mean the birth and upbringing of Erechsius, the wars of his day with all the peoples of the neighboring continents, and the leadership of the sons of Heracles. His wars with the Pelopanesians, and all the wars fought under Tessus. In all these wars they proved themselves to be the most valiant men of their time. And, to tell you the truth , I mean what their descendants did. They lived not long before us, and they not only fought by their own strength against the overlords of Europe all over Asia and as far as Macedon (whose successors In addition to the great power and wealth of their ancestors, they have also established great achievements), and they are also proud of land and sea with the Pelopanes. They are said to be far ahead of their contemporaries."

"That's what people say," replied Pericles. "Thus, although the Greeks emigrated in great numbers, they still lived in their native land: many who had disputes with rights came to them for arbitration, and many who were oppressed by the rapist came to their rescue." "Socrates, I am amazed," said Pericles, "how the power of our city-state has fallen like this." "I suppose," replied Socrates, "that just as other men, by being too great and excellent, were careless and left behind, so the Athenians, after their excellence, were left behind by carelessness."

"How, then, can they regain their old prestige?" "I don't think there is any mystery in it," Socrates replied, "as long as they can discover how their ancestors behaved, and try to do it themselves, they will be no more powerful than their ancestors." bad; or, if they did not do so, they would do as well if they followed the example of those who now rule, behaved in their manner, and treated their careers with the same care, and if they Work harder, and their achievements will be even better." "You mean that our city-state is still far from perfect," said Pericles, "when will the Athenians respect their predecessors like the Rachaides? The elders have been despised from their fathers. Or, when did they exercise like the Rakaidaimoni? Not only do they not care about their health, but they laugh at those who do. When will they be like the Rakai Do the Kaidaimonians obey their leaders like that? They even boast of despising their leaders! When will they be as united as the Rakaidaimonians? Not only can they not help and cooperate with each other for mutual benefit, but they also hurt each other. They are jealous of each other, more than any other people in the world. They are more quarrelsome than any in private or public assembly, they love to accuse each other, and prefer to take advantage of each other rather than help each other. They look at public affairs as if and yet quarrel with each other over the management of these affairs, and even rejoice in their strength to be able to do so. From this situation many misfortunes and crimes arose in the city-state, and a great deal of hatred Resentment and resentment arose among the people; therefore, I was always in a state of dread that some unbearable calamity would befall the city."

"Oh, Pericles," said Socrates, "never think that the Athenians are mortally ill. You do not see how orderly they are in naval training, how obedient they are in athletic contests. Is the leader no less than anyone else in obeying the guidance of the coach of the song and dance troupe?" "It is indeed remarkable," said Pericles, "that men of this kind obey those who lead them above, and that infantry and cavalry, chosen from among the people, and supposedly of good character, are the most An arrogant and rebellious person". "What about the courts of Arias V. Pagos? Pericles," asked Socrates, "are they not composed of tried men?"

"Of course," Pericles replied. "Do you know anyone who judges cases and conducts other matters better, more lawfully, with more dignity, and with more justice?" "I can't find anything wrong with them," replied Pericles. "Then we need not be disappointed by the lack of discipline of the Athenians," said Socrates. "And yet," said Pericles, "even in military affairs, which most require prudence, discipline, and obedience, they pay no attention to them." "This may be due to the fact that those who conduct them are the most ignorant of military knowledge," said Socrates. Might not a man who has not the necessary knowledge try to command them? Anyone who can command these men can tell from whom they learned the art they are good at; but most of our generals do not After prior study. But I don't mean that you are such a person; because I think you can tell when you learned general strategy, just as you can tell when you learned wrestling. And I also I am convinced that you have learned and memorized many principles of war from your father, and that you have collected from all sides what you can learn to be useful to generals. I believe that you have always tried not to let yourself Unwittingly miss anything useful to the general, and if you find yourself lacking knowledge in any matter, you will pay generously and respectfully to those who know, so that you can learn from them what you know. what you don’t know, and thus make them useful to you.” "Socrates," said Pericles, "I see that you are not saying this because you think I have paid serious attention to these things, but that you want to convince me that anyone who is a general must pay attention. Study that sort of thing; I totally agree with you." "Pericles, have you ever noticed," asked Socrates, "that on the frontiers of our country there are mountains winding and stretching as far as Boeotia, and from there narrow and steep valleys lead to Inland, the central part of our country is bounded like a belt by strong mountains?" "That's true." "Have you ever heard," asked Socrates, "that the Mysians and Pisidians occupy extremely strong positions in the Maharaja's land, and that they are equipped with light cavalry, and that they can invade the Maharaja's territory and attack it at will. ravaged, while keeping itself unharmed?" "I've heard that too," replied Pericles. "If the young men of Athens were armed, and made to guard the mountains that guard our country, do you think they would not injure our enemies and become strong fortresses for our people?" "Socrates," said Pericles, "I think all this is very helpful advice." "Since you are satisfied with these opinions, try to do it, my brave friend; for whatever you achieve in this direction will be to your own honor, and to the city's good; If you fall short and fail, there is no loss to the city-state, and no disgrace to yourself."