Demosthenes, The Erotic Essay, Norman W. DeWitt (Translator), Norman J. DeWitt (Translator), 32

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[32] I do not know whether to call these young men admirers or unique for their sound judgement. For, as I think, Fortune, scorning base men and wishing to arouse the minds of the good, at the very outset made your nature beautiful, not for a life of pleasure, to be beguiled thereto, but serviceable for a virtuous life, to have happiness therein.¹

The Erotic Essay. Demosthenes. Norman W. DeWitt (Translator), Norman J. DeWitt (Translator). London. 1949.

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Current edition Perseus

The Erotic Essay (English) (Demosthenes, Vol. VII: Funeral Speech, Erotic Essay, LX, LXI, Exordia and Letters. DeWitt, Norman W. and Norman J., translators. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1949 (printing).)

Editions (1)

ἐρωτικὸς Perseus (Demosthenes. Orationes, Vol. III. Rennie, W., editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1931.) — 32 focus

[32] οὓς οὐκ οἶδα πότερον ἐραστὰς ἢ μόνους ὀρθῶς γιγνώσκοντας προσαγορεῦσαι χρή. δοκεῖ γάρ μοι καὶ κατʼ ἀρχὰς ἡ τύχη, τῶν μὲν φαύλων καταφρονοῦσα, τὰς δὲ τῶν σπουδαίων ἀνδρῶν διανοίας ἐρεθίσαι βουληθεῖσα, τὴν σὴν φύσιν οὐ πρὸς ἡδονὴν ἐξαπατηθῆναι καλὴν ποιῆσαι, ἀλλὰ πρὸς ἀρετὴν εὐδαιμονῆσαι χρήσιμον.

Notes on the current edition

The Erotic Essay

1. This sentence exhibits rhythmical clausulae and Gorgianic parallelism of structure along with assonance of the vowel e. It is suggested that the Greek version be read aloud.

Demosthenes The Erotic Essay 32

Norman W. DeWitt (Translator), Norman J. DeWitt (Translator)

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