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[5] Before proceeding to any further argument, I wish to show still more clearly which of the two was responsible for the accident. The lad no more missed the target than any of those practising with him1: nor has he rendered himself guilty of any of the acts with which he is charged owing to error on his own part. On the other hand, the boy did not do the same as the other onlookers; he moved into the javelin's path. And this is clear proof that it was through his own error that he met with a disaster which those who stood still did not. The thrower would not have been guilty of an error in any respect,2 had no one moved into the path of his spear: while the boy would not have been hit, had he remained in his place among the onlookers.
1 A highly artificial piece of sophistry. （1） The lad did exactly the same as the other throwers: so, as they did not miss the target, neither can he have done. （2） On the other hand, the boy did not do the same as the other spectators; and so he is not blameless, as they are.
2 A curious admission that the μειράκιον was guilty of ἁμαρτία to at least some extent.
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