Isocrates, Nicocles or the Cyprians, George Norlin (Translator), 24

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[24] and again, we know that while the Carthaginians and the Lacedaemonians, who are the best governed peoples of the world,¹ are ruled by oligarchies at home, yet, when they take the field, they are ruled by kings. One might also point out that the state² which more than any other abhors absolute rule meets with disaster when it sends out many generals,³ and with success when it wages war under a single leader.

Nicocles or the Cyprians. Isocrates. George Norlin (Translator). Cambridge, MA. 1928.

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Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Perseus

Nicocles or the Cyprians (English) (Isocrates, Vol. 1. Norlin, George, translator. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd., 1928 (printing).)

Editions (1)

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

[24] τοὺς ἄριστα τῶν ἄλλων¹ πολιτευομένους, οἴκοι μὲν ὀλιγαρχουμένους, παρὰ δὲ τὸν πόλεμον βασιλευομένους. ἔχοι δʼ ἄν τις ἐπιδεῖξαι καὶ τὴν πόλιν,² τὴν μάλιστα τὰς τυραννίδας μισοῦσαν, ὅταν μὲν πολλοὺς ἐκπέμψῃ στρατηγούς, ἀτυχοῦσαν, ὅταν δὲ διʼ ἑνὸς ποιήσηται τοὺς κινδύνους, κατορθοῦσαν.

Notes on the current edition

Nicocles or the Cyprians

1. Socrates and his followers idealized, in contrast to the slackness of Athens , the rigorous rule of such states as Sparta and Crete . See, for example, Plat. Crito 52e . Aristotle couples in his praise, as Isocrates here, the Spartans and the Carthaginians: Aristot. Pol. 1272b 24 ff.

2. Athens .

3. As in the disasters at Syracuse and Aegospotami .

Isocrates Nicocles or the Cyprians 24

George Norlin (Translator)

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