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now the Olympiad comes on, nor can it be put off. By once being defeated and giving
way, proficiency is lost, or by the contrary preserved. Thus Socrates became perfect,
improving himself by everything. attending to nothing but reason. And though you are
not yet a Socrates, you ought, however, to live as one desirous of becoming a
Socrates.
51. The first and most necessary topic in philosophy is that of the use of moral
theorems, such as, "We ought not to lie;" the second is that of demonstrations, such
as, "What is the origin of our obligation not to lie;" the third gives strength and
articulation to the other two, such as, "What is the origin of this is a demonstration."
For what is demonstration? What is consequence? What contradiction? What truth?
What falsehood? The third topic, then, is necessary on the account of the second, and
the second on the account of the first. But the most necessary, and that whereon we
ought to rest, is the first. But we act just on the contrary. For we spend all our time on
the third topic, and employ all our diligence about that, and entirely neglect the first.
Therefore, at the same time that we lie, we are immediately prepared to show how it is
demonstrated that lying is not right.
52. Upon all occasions we ought to have these maxims ready at hand:
"Conduct me, Jove, and you, 0 Destiny,
Wherever your decrees have fixed my station." [Cleanthes]
"I follow cheerfully; and, did I not,
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Wicked and wretched, I must follow still
Whoever yields properly to Fate, is deemed
Wise among men, and knows the laws of heaven." [Euripides, Frag. 965]
And this third:
"0 Crito, if it thus pleases the gods, thus let it be. Anytus and Melitus may
kill me indeed, but hurt me they cannot." [Plato's Crito and Apology]
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