Isocrates, To Philip, George Norlin (Translator), 29

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[29] But you will be in the best position to discover with accuracy whether there is any truth in what I say if you put aside the prejudices¹ which are held against the sophists and against speeches which are composed to be read, and take them up one by one in your thought and scrutinize them, not making it a casual task, nor one to be attacked in a spirit of indifference, but with the close reasoning and love of knowledge which it is common report that you also share.² For if you will conduct your inquiry with these aids instead of relying upon the opinion of the masses, you will form a sounder judgement about such discourses.

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

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Current edition Perseus

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

Editions (1)

Φίλιππος Perseus (Isocrates, Vol. 1. Norlin, George, editor. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd., 1928 (printing).) — 29 focus

[29] ἢν τὰς μὲν δυσχερείας τὰς περὶ τοὺς σοφιστὰς καὶ τοὺς ἀναγιγνωσκομένους τῶν λόγων ἀφέλῃς, ἀναλαμβάνων δʼ ἕκαστον αὐτῶν εἰς τὴν διάνοιαν ἐξετάζῃς, μὴ πάρεργον ποιούμενος μηδὲ μετὰ ῥᾳθυμίας, ἀλλὰ μετὰ λογισμοῦ καὶ φιλοσοφίας, ἧς καὶ σὲ μετεσχηκέναι φασίν. μετὰ γὰρ τούτων σκοπούμενος μᾶλλον ἢ μετὰ τῆς τῶν πολλῶν δόξης ἄμεινον ἂν βουλεύσαιο περὶ αὐτῶν.

Notes on the current edition

To Philip

1. αἱ δυσχέρειαι may mean difficulties or disadvantages under which speeches labor which are composed for a reading public, or the prejudices against them caused by these disadvantages. The latter seems to be the sense here. See Benseler’s note.

2. “Isocrates addressed him (Philip) as a friend of letters and philosophy: a reputation which his choice of Aristotle as an instructor of his son, Alexander, tends to bear out” (Grote, Hist. xi. p. 325).

Isocrates To Philip 29

George Norlin (Translator)

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