Isocrates, Areopagiticus, George Norlin (Translator), 41

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[41] Those who are rightly governed, on the other hand, do not need to fill their porticoes¹ with written statutes, but only to cherish justice in their souls; for it is not by legislation, but by morals, that states are well directed, since men who are badly reared will venture to transgress even laws which are drawn up with minute exactness, whereas those who are well brought up will be willing to respect even a simple code.²

Areopagiticus. Isocrates. George Norlin (Translator). Cambridge, MA. 1928.

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Current edition Perseus

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

Editions (1)

Ἀρεοπαγιτικός Perseus (Isocrates, Vol 2. Norlin, George, editor. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1929 (printing).) — 41 focus

[41] δεῖν δὲ τοὺς ὀρθῶς πολιτευομένους οὐ τὰς στοὰς ἐμπιπλάναι γραμμάτων, ἀλλʼ ἐν ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἔχειν τὸ δίκαιον· οὐ γὰρ τοῖς ψηφίσμασιν ἀλλὰ τοῖς ἤθεσι καλῶς οἰκεῖσθαι τὰς πόλεις, καὶ τοὺς μὲν κακῶς τεθραμμένους καὶ τοὺς ἀκριβῶς τῶν νόμων ἀναγεγραμμένους τολμήσειν παραβαίνειν, τοὺς δὲ καλῶς πεπαιδευμένους καὶ τοῖς ἁπλῶς κειμένοις ἐθελήσειν ἐμμένειν.

Notes on the current edition

Areopagiticus

1. Since Solon’s time, Athenian laws were posted on pillars in the “King’s Portico,” by the market-place. See Aristot. Ath. Pol. 7 .

2. Cf. Plat. Rep. 425a ff.

Isocrates Areopagiticus 41

George Norlin (Translator)

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