Isocrates, On the Peace, George Norlin (Translator), 53

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[53] But, what is most reprehensible of all, we regard those whom all would acknowledge to be the most depraved of our citizens¹ as the most trustworthy guardians of our polity; and we judge the character of our alien residents by the kind of patrons² they select to represent them, but do not expect that we shall be judged by the character of those who represent us at the head of the state.

On the Peace. Isocrates. George Norlin (Translator). Cambridge, MA. 1928.

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Current edition Perseus

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

Editions (1)

Περὶ εἰρήνης Perseus (Isocrates, Vol 2. Norlin, George, editor. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1929 (printing).) — 53 focus

[53] ὃ δὲ πάντων σχετλιώτατον· οὓς γὰρ ὁμολογήσαιμεν ἂν πονηροτάτους εἶναι τῶν πολιτῶν, τούτους πιστοτάτους φύλακας ἡγούμεθα τῆς πολιτείας εἶναι· καὶ τοὺς μὲν μετοίκους τοιούτους εἶναι νομίζομεν, οἵους περ ἂν τοὺς προστάτας νέμωσιν, αὐτοὶ δʼ οὐκ οἰόμεθα τὴν αὐτὴν λήψεσθαι δόξαν τοῖς προεστῶσιν ἡμῶν.

Notes on the current edition

On the Peace

1. Cf. Isoc. 15.316 ff. and notes; Aristoph. Frogs 730 ff.

2. Only through a citizen to represent him as his “patron” before the law could a foreign resident enjoy the protection of the state. The word for patron, προστάτης, was also used for the leader of the General Assembly. Hence the play on the word, which can be reproduced only by a free rendering in English.

Isocrates On the Peace 53

George Norlin (Translator)

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