purposes of war is a mockery and a sham."
[24] Cf. Plat. "Soph."
[25] Or, "earns but an evil reputation in the world."
[26] "They are being bearded in their dens."
I go back to my proposition then. Those self-seeking politicians, who want to feather their own nests,[27] practise to win victories over their own side, but the sportsman confines himself to the common enemy. This training of theirs renders the one set more able to cope with the foreign foe, the others far less able. The hunting of the one is carried on with self-restraint, of the others with effrontery. The one can look down with contempt upon maliciousness and sordid love of gain, the other cannot. The very speech and intonation of the one has melody, of the other harshness. And with regard to things divine, the one set know no obstacle to their impiety, the others are of all men the most pious. Indeed ancient tales affirm[28] that the very gods themselves take joy in this work[29] as actors and spectators. So that,[30] with due reflection on these things, the young who act upon my admonitions will be found, perchance, beloved of heaven and reverent of soul, checked by the thought that some one of the gods is eyeing their performance.[31]
[27] Or, "Those people who would fain have the lion's share in the
state."
[28] Or, "an ancient story obtains."
[29] Sc. "of the chase."
[30] Or {uparkhein} = "it may be considered as given." Scheid. cf.
"Pol. Ath." iii. 9, {oste uparkhein demokratian einai}.
[31] Lit. "that the things in question are beheld by some divinity."
These are the youths who will prove a blessing to their parents, and not to their parents only but to the whole state; to every citizen alike and individual friend.
Nay, what has sex to do with it? It is not only men enamoured of the chase that have become heroes, but among women there are also to whom our lady Artemis has granted a like boon-Atalanta, and Procris, and many another huntress fair.