Isocrates, Against the Sophists, George Norlin (Translator), 21

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[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.

Against the Sophists. Isocrates. George Norlin (Translator). Cambridge, MA. 1928.

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Current edition Perseus

Against the Sophists (English) (Isocrates, Vol 2. Norlin, George, translator. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1929 (printing).)

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Κατὰ τῶν σοφιστῶν Perseus (Isocrates, Vol 2. Norlin, George, editor. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1929 (printing).) — 21 focus

[21] καίτοι τοὺς βουλομένους πειθαρχεῖν τοῖς ὑπὸ τῆς φιλοσοφίας ταύτης προσταττομένοις πολὺ ἂν θᾶττον πρὸς ἐπιείκειαν ἢ πρὸς ῥητορείαν ὠφελήσειεν. καὶ μηδεὶς οἰέσθω με λέγειν ὡς ἔστι δικαιοσύνη διδακτόν· ὅλως μὲν γὰρ οὐδεμίαν ἡγοῦμαι τοιαύτην εἶναι τέχνην, ἥτις τοῖς κακῶς πεφυκόσι πρὸς ἀρετὴν σωφροσύνην ἂν καὶ δικαιοσύνην ἐμποιήσειεν· οὐ μὴν ἀλλὰ συμπαρακελεύσασθαί γε καὶ συνασκῆσαι μάλιστʼ ἃ οἶμαι τὴν τῶν λόγων τῶν πολιτικῶν ἐπιμέλειαν.

Notes on the current edition

Against the Sophists

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 Against the Sophists 21

George Norlin (Translator)

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