TJic Rhctorlca of Philodemus. 317 



and assemblies, where there are more wrecks than ever at Cape 

 Caphereus.^^ 



[Rhetoricians say that this art makes men good] for one 

 will wish to seem prudent and just in order to obtain favors from 

 the people.^- 



[It is strange that one would not endure to be taught virtuel I, 261, col. 



• XXVI 



whereas if he were sick he would endure being forced to undergo 



treatment. But their interjection of the argument that virtue 

 cannot be taught is untimely. For Socrates showed that political 

 virtue cannot be taught, proving his case by the inability of 

 Themistocles, Aristides and Pericles to train their sons to be 

 their equals. By the same means one could prove that sophistic 

 rhetoric cannot be taught. 1. 30 But "rhetoric would be able 

 to benefit a man who by its help can persuade the people that 

 he is of high character." Quite the contrary; even if a man 

 be virtuous otherwise, he is considered a scoundrel because he 

 is a rhetor. They say that we ought to believe that there is 

 something better than truth which does not persuade, on the 

 testimony of Euripides who says ; "A'lortals' coin is not only 

 shining silver but virtue" (i. e. virtue in the commonly accepted 

 sense). At any rate they purchase many things by character, 

 as well as by money. But why should a philosopher pay atten- 

 tion to Euripides, especially since he has no proof . . . ? 

 Some say they pursue virtue not expecting to receive anything 

 from it ; others desire safety for the sake of happiness. 



"Suppose a virtuous man made the object of a slanderous I, 264, col. 

 attack, and unable to persuade the jury of his innocence; he XXVIII. 

 would be punished, not pitied and honored." Certainly. But 

 worst of all is not to recognize exalted virtue, but to consider 

 it wickedness. x\ccording to the argument of the rhetors one 

 ought to study the reputable rather than the monstrous — and 

 that when the greatest statesmen bring to the bema things which 

 should be associated only with the vilest of men. The so-called 

 virtuous men when they are called to account before the people 

 refuse to stand trial. They think they are to suffer a treatment 



" Cape on Euboea where a fleet returning from Troy was wrecked. Cf. 

 Vergil, Aen. XI, 256-260: Propert. Ill, VII, 39-40. (Quoted by Gros.) 



" Cf. Isoc. Ant. 278 : Saunrep dvris eppui/jLfveaT^pws einduixri irei9eiv Toiis aKovovras 

 TocToiTi^ fidWov a(JK-f)<Tei. koKos Kayadbs elvat Kal irapa roh iroXiTais evBoKi/xeii'. 



