The Rhetorica of Philodemus. 331 



philosophers. Why did he abandon his exhortation of the young'. II, 57, col. 

 and attempt the road to ruin which was followed by Isocrates' L^^^- 

 pupils and by other sophists? Why did he prefer to make col- 

 lections of laws, constitutions, etc.. in short to be a polymath and II. 58, 

 teach all manner of subjects? In this he was less noble than ^°'- 42. 

 the rhetors, in that the rhetors try to provide power, and offer ^^^ Ljy 

 rhetorical hypotheses not merely for the calm of the soul but 

 also for the health of the body. In short he became a more 

 dangerous and deadly foe of Epicurus than those who openly 

 engaged in politics. If he was searching for truth, why did he li, 59, 

 choose Isocratean rhetoric rather than political rhetoric which '^°^- 43- 

 he considered different from that of Isocrates? If it was the 

 political branch that he was practicing, it was ridiculous for 

 him to say that it was a disgrace to allow Isocrates to speak, if 

 he did not intend to speak like him. I do not mention the fact jj^ en, col 

 that none of his pupils could succeed in either art, because LV. 

 Isocrates had forestalled him ; and Isocrates after teaching 

 rhetoric devoted himself to the quieter and as he said, more 

 wonderful study — philosophy. He had strange reasons too for 

 urging them to a study of politics. First that if they acquired 

 experience and undertook a political career immediately, because 

 of their occupation in it they would appear lacking in a proper II, 60, 

 philosophical training. But if they had no experience they could '^^ " '^^' 

 not be statesmen unless they studied a very long time, and if 

 they waited for the state to become orderly they were neglecting 

 the means of making it orderly (viz. philosophical politics). 



Not even a woman would be so foolish as to choose the worse tt ^ 1 



... n, 61, col. 



when the better is present. He urged Philip not to aspire to be LVI. 



king of Persia. 



There is no use for one who rules badly what is near him, and jj 52 

 can rule well what he is not permitted to rule. Of the reasons col. 45. 

 why he urges that one who has the ability to govern should go 

 into politics, the first applies to himself rather than to one who 

 takes no thought for the community. For if he thought that 

 one who took no interest in current events would have no friend, 

 as a matter of fact he had none, or could not keep a friend any 

 length of time. Philosophy does not prevent a man's advance; 

 it did not prevent Aristotle. If prevented from obtaining any- 

 thing, philosophy is not brought into contempt, because it needs 

 no help from any man. 



