Xenophon, Memorabilia, Edgar Carew Marchant (Translator), 2.6.39

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[39] Nay, Critobulus, if you want to be thought good at anything, you must try to be so; that is the quickest, the surest, the best way.¹ You will find on reflection that every kind of virtue named among men is increased by study and practice. Such is the view I take of our duty, Critobulus. If you have anything to say against it, tell me.
Why, Socrates, said Critobulus, I should be ashamed to contradict you, for I should be saying what is neither honourable nor true.

Memorabilia. Xenophon. Edgar Carew Marchant (Translator). Cambridge, MA. 1923.

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Current edition Perseus

Memorabilia (English) (Xenophon in Seven Volumes, Vol. 4. Marchant, Edgar Cardew, editor, translator. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1923.)

Editions (1)

Ἀπομνημονεύματα Perseus (Xenophon. Opera omnia, Vol. 2. Marchant, Edgar Cardew, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1921.) — 2.6.39 focus

[39] ἀλλὰ συντομωτάτη τε καὶ ἀσφαλεστάτη καὶ καλλίστη ὁδός, ὦ Κριτόβουλε, ὅ τι ἂν βούλῃ δοκεῖν ἀγαθὸς εἶναι, τοῦτο καὶ γενέσθαι ἀγαθὸν πειρᾶσθαι· ὅσαι δʼ ἐν ἀνθρώποις ἀρεταὶ λέγονται, σκοπούμενος εὑρήσεις πάσας μαθήσει τε καὶ μελέτῃ αὐξανομένας. ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν, ὦ Κριτόβουλε, οἶμαι δεῖν ἡμᾶς · εἰ δὲ σύ πως ἄλλως γιγνώσκεις, δίδασκε. καὶ ὁ Κριτόβουλος, ἀλλʼ αἰσχυνοίμην ἄν, ἔφη, ὦ Σώκρατες, ἀντιλέγων τούτοις· οὔτε γὰρ καλὰ οὔτε ἀληθῆ λέγοιμʼ ἄν.

Notes on the current edition

Memorabilia

1. Cyropaedia I. vi. 22.

Xenophon Memorabilia 2.6.39

Edgar Carew Marchant (Translator)

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