[21]
And yet those who desire to follow the true precepts of this discipline may, if they will, be helped more speedily towards honesty of character1 than towards facility in oratory. And let no one suppose that I claim that just living can be taught;2 for, in a word, I hold that there does not exist an art of the kind which can implant sobriety and justice in depraved natures. Nevertheless, I do think that the study of political discourse can help more than any other thing to stimulate and form such qualities of character.
1 For the kind of political discourse which Isocrates extols, and its ethical influence see Isoc. 15.275 and General Introd. p. xxiv.
2 See Isoc. 15.274 ff.
Isocrates. Isocrates with an English Translation in three volumes, by George Norlin, Ph.D., LL.D. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1980.
The Annenberg CPB/Project provided support for entering this text.
Purchase a copy of this text (not necessarily the same edition) from Amazon.com
