If ever, O Menemachus, that saying of Nestor's in
Homer,
There is no Greek can contradict or mend
What you have said, yet to no perfect end
Is your speech brought,
1
might pertinently be made use of and applied, it is against
those exhorting, but nothing teaching nor any way instructing, philosophers. For they do (in this respect)
resemble those who are indeed careful in snuffing the
lamps, but negligent in supplying them with oil. Seeing therefore that you, being by reason moved to engage
yourself in the affairs of the state, desire, as becomes the
nobility of your family,
Both to speak and act heroicly
2
in the service of your country, and that, not having attained to such maturity of age as to have observed the life
of a wise and philosophical man openly spent in the transactions of the state and public debates, and to have been
a spectator of worthy examples represented not in word
but in deed, you request me to lay you down some political precepts and instructions; I think it no ways becoming
me to give you a denial, but heartily wish that the work
may be worthy both of your zeal and my forwardness.
Now I have, according to your request, made use in this
my discourse of sundry and various examples.
[p. 98]