To turn to another side, that grace of manner which was his, claims more than passing recognition. Here was a man to whom honour was vouchsafed1 and power present, and who, to crown all else, held in his hands the sceptre of sovereignty — a kingship not plotted against, but respected and beloved. Yet there was no trace of arrogance2 to be seen in him, but of tender affection and courteous3 service to his friends proof in abundance without seeking. Witness the zest4 with which he shared in the round of lovers’ talk;97 the zeal5 with which he threw himself into the serious concerns98 of friends. By dint6 of a hopeful and cheery disposition7 and unflagging gaiety of heart he attracted to his side a throng8 of visitors, who came, not simply for the transaction of some private interest, but rather to pass away the day in pleasant sort. Though little apt himself to use high-swelling words, it did not annoy him to hear others sounding their own praises, which he regarded as a harmless weakness, the pledge at least of high endeavour99 in the future.
But that he was capable of lofty sentiment and at the right season must not be overlooked. Thus when a letter reached him from the king (I speak of that which was brought by the Persian agent in company with Calleas100 of Lacedaemon, proposing terms of hospitality and friendship with the Persian monarch), he disdained9 to accept it, telling the bearer to take back to the king this answer: “He need not be at pains to send him letters in private, but if he could prove himself a friend to Lacedaemon and the well-wisher of Hellas he should have no cause to blame the ardour of his friendship,” but added, “if your king be detected plotting, let him not think to find a friend in me. No, not if he sends me a thousand letters.” For my part, then, I hold it praiseworthy that, by comparison with pleasing his fellow-Hellenes, Agesilaus scorned such friendship. And this, too, among his tenets I find admirable: the truer title to self-congratulation belonged not to the millionaire, the master of many legions, but to him rather, who, being himself a better man, commanded the allegience of better followers10.
And this, in proof of mental forecast, I must needs praise in him. Holding to the belief that the more satraps there were who revolted from the king the surer the gain to Hellas, he did not suffer himself to be seduced11, either by gifts or by the mightiness12 in his power, to be drawn13 into bonds of friendship with the king, but took precaution rather not to abuse their confidence who were willing to revolt.
And lastly, as beyond all controversy14 admirable, note this contrast: First, the Persian, who, believing that in the multitude of his riches he had power to lay all things under his feet, would fain have swept into his coffers all the gold and all the silver of mankind: for him, and him alone, the costliest15 and most precious things of earth. And then this other, who contrariwise so furnished his establishment as to be totally independent of every adventitious16 aid.101 And if any one doubts the statement, let him look and see with what manner of dwelling-place he was contented17; let him view the palace doors: these are the selfsame doors, he might well imagine, which Aristodemus,102 the great-great-grandson of Heracles, took and set up in the days of the return. Let him endeavour to view the furniture inside; there he will perceive how the king feasted on high holy days; and he will hear how the king’s own daughter was wont18 to drive to Amyclae in a public basket-carriage.103 Thus it was that by the adjustment of expenditure19 to income he was never driven to the commission of any unjust deed for money’s sake. And yet if it be a fine thing to hold a fortress20 impregnable to attack, I count it a greater glory that a man should hold the fortress of his soul inviolable against the assaults of riches, pleasures, fears.
97 See “Hell.” V. iii. 20; “Cyrop.” I. iv. 27; “Econ.” ii. 7; Plut. “Ages.” ii.; xx.; Lyc. xx.
98 Or, “he would discuss graver matters, according to the humour of his friends.”
99 Or, “of courageous21 conduct,” “noble manhood.”
100 See “Hell.” IV. i. 15; Plut. “Apophth. Lac.” p. 777; Grote, “H. G.” x. 402.
101 Or, “of all such external needs.”
102 See Herod. vi. 52.
103 See Plut. “Ages.” xix. (Clough, iv. p. 23); the words e thugater autou were supplied from this passage by Casaubon.
收听单词发音 |
1
vouchsafed
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的过去式和过去分词 )；允诺 | |
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arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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zest
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| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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8
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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disdained
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| 鄙视( disdain的过去式和过去分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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seduced
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| 诱奸( seduce的过去式和过去分词 )； 勾引； 诱使堕落； 使入迷 | |
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mightiness
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| n.强大 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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controversy
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| n.争论，辩论，争吵 | |
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15
costliest
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| adj.昂贵的( costly的最高级 )；代价高的；引起困难的；造成损失的 | |
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adventitious
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| adj.偶然的 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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19
expenditure
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| n.(时间、劳力、金钱等)支出；使用，消耗 | |
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20
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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