to act on the very matters themselves as quickly as possible, to know A what it means for a father to be toward his children; which I also hope, and pray for, and find joy in the hope of, and more than you, as I suppose. But grant, O dearest one, that I may consider myself happy, just as for having begotten a noble and good son, so also for having educated [him], and for having rendered such a son an emperor, as the intelligent of those under him would pray for.
ORATION OF A KIND PRINCE TO WELL-DISPOSED SUBJECTS WHO ARE IN THE FLOWER OF YOUTH
Wishing that which is to your advantage and ever seeking it B in all ways, I deemed that I should speak these exhortations briefly, like a gift. For since it is, as it were, natural to men to seek to advance in external things, one must set the internal advancements as a prior task; for the former follow upon the latter. If, then, you are good, and wish to surpass your peers both in public honors and in all things wherein one might become enviable, pursue these things with earnest deeds, in all ways showing yourself no less eager than faithful. Flee sluggishness and sloth, and sleeping supine on soft beds, if you wish to be happy. For it is not, it is not possible for a sluggard, one who is lax and effeminate, to fare well. But pursue those things which [one] knows can raise many from a base fortune to a brilliant one. C Hate also the desire to eat while idle, knowing that this is the work of drones, whom the law of nature among the swarms of bees [moves] not only not to benefit, but even to kill. Therefore, it is surely not fitting for those who always have their hands tucked into their robes to receive [benefits]. For this seems to be fitting for mutilated and effeminate men; but for those to whom there is strength of body, and youth, and health, and the desire to acquire great things, and to walk in the company of many, it is fitting that these show themselves to be brave men in behalf of [their] race, in behalf of [their] country, in behalf of [their] ruler himself. Doing thus, O dearest thing to me, you will easily attain what is sought, with God having become [your] helper. And if you do not receive [it] immediately after asking, do not [be] indignant (for [that is] narrow-minded), nor relax from the