Quotes from xenophon ii

The most delightful of all music, that of your own praises.

Must not he also who has but little trust in others feel himself deprived of a very great blessing? For what society can be agreeable without mutual confidence, even between a man and a wife?

The invention of the art [of hunting] is from the gods; for hunting and dogs were the care of Apollo and Diana, who rewarded and honoured Chiron with a knowledge of them on account of his regard for justice.

The corrupt heart breaketh out by the lewd tongue.

We ought to give good examples to our children, because if they see no uncomeliness, they shall be forced to follow goodness and virtue.

We feel a greater pride in conversing with those who are superior to us in honor, than with those who are on a level with us.

Death is the end of those who have done nothing to cause their names to live after them.

The oldest and wisest of human communities show most respect to the gods, and are most careful of their worship.

In hunting on cultivated grounds, the huntsman must abstain from injuring the fruits of the season, and must leave springs and streams undisturbed; for to interfere with these is contrary to propriety and morality.

As a person, therefore, would have no enjoyment of drinking, if he had not previously known thirst, so he who is unacquainted with the longings of love has no experience of the most ravishing pleasures.

The earth also kindly teaches men justice, at least such as are able to learn; for it is those who treat her best that she recompenses with the most numerous benefits.

It will be well for the huntsman, in general, to give the dogs their food himself; for though, when they are in want, they do not know who is the cause of it, they conceive an affection for him, who, when they are eager to receive it, gives it them.

When the interests of mankind are at stake, they will obey with joy the man whom they believe to be wiser than themselves.

If ... it would be a gain to any man to hang himself, I certainly think that it would be of the very greatest advantage to a tyrant to do so; for he alone is profited neither by retaining his troubles nor by laying them aside.

The pleasures of love, then ... seem to be the only objects that can excite in you the desire of reigning; for in this respect it is in your power to attach yourselves to whatever object you find eminently beautiful.

How can you say that princes have the greatest power of subduing their enemies, when they are sensible that all are their enemies, who are subject to their rule?

A man's praises have very musical and charming accents in another's mouth; but very flat and untuneable in his own.

As for those ... who can obtain by lawful means whatever they need, how can we consider them poor?