Source edition
Isocrates, Vol. 1. Norlin, George, editor. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd., 1928 (printing).
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is an advisory letter addressed to the young Demonicus, offering concrete moral precepts for living a wise and virtuous life. The author begins by presenting the noble life of Demonicus's deceased father, Hipponicus, as the ultimate model, emphasizing the supreme value of virtue. He then outlines the fundamental qualities a young man should cultivate, including piety toward the gods, proper attitudes toward parents and friends, the training of mind and body, and the importance of learning. The discourse extends to practical life lessons, such as moderation regarding wealth, self-control over passions, sincerity in social interactions, and prudent conduct in public office. Finally, the author urges Demonicus to gather useful wisdom from all sources like a bee, concluding that a life rooted in virtue brings true pleasure and enables one to overcome natural shortcomings.