Isocrates, To Demonicus, George Norlin (Translator), 24

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[24] Make no man your friend before inquiring how he has used his former friends;¹ for you must expect him to treat you as he has treated them. Be slow² to give your friendship, but when you have given it, strive to make it lasting; for it is as reprehensible to make many changes in one’s associates as to have no friend at all. Neither test your friends to your own injury nor be willing to forgo a test of your companions. You can manage this if you pretend to be in want when really you lack nothing.

To Demonicus. Isocrates. George Norlin (Translator). Cambridge, MA. 1928.

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Current edition Perseus

To Demonicus (English) (Isocrates, Vol. 1. Norlin, George, translator. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd., 1928 (printing).)

Editions (1)

Πρὸς Δημόνικον Perseus (Isocrates, Vol. 1. Norlin, George, editor. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd., 1928 (printing).) — 24 focus

[24] μηδένα φίλον ποιοῦ, πρὶν ἂν ἐξετάσῃς πῶς κέχρηται τοῖς πρότερον φίλοις· ἔλπιζε γὰρ αὐτὸν καὶ περὶ σὲ γενέσθαι τοιοῦτον, οἷος καὶ περὶ ἐκείνους γέγονε. βραδέως μὲν φίλος γίγνου, γενόμενος δὲ πειρῶ διαμένειν· ὁμοίως γὰρ αἰσχρὸν μηδένα φίλον ἔχειν καὶ πολλοὺς ἑταίρους μεταλλάττειν. μήτε μετὰ βλάβης πειρῶ τῶν φίλων, μήτʼ ἄπειρος εἶναι τῶν ἑταίρων θέλε. τοῦτο δὲ ποιήσεις, ἐὰν μὴ δεόμενος τὸ δεῖσθαι προσποιῇ.

Notes on the current edition

To Demonicus

1. Cf. Xen. Mem. 2.6.6 .

2. Cf. Solon, quoted in Diog. Laert. 1.60 : φίλους μὴ ταχὺ κτῶ· οὓς δ′ ἂν κτήσῃ μὴ ἀποδοκίμαζε.

Isocrates To Demonicus 24

George Norlin (Translator)

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