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[15]
Well said Tigranes, if you approve either of my father’s theory or his practice, then I advise you by all means to imitate him. But if you think he has done wrong throughout, I advise you not to imitate him.
Well then, said Cyrus, if I should do what is right, I should surely not be imitating the one who does wrong.
That is true, said he.
Then, according to your reasoning, your father must be punished, if indeed it is right that the one who does wrong should be punished.
Which do you think is better for you, Cyrus, to mete out your punishments to your benefit or to your own injury?
In the latter case, at least, said he, I should be punishing myself.
Well said Tigranes, if you approve either of my father’s theory or his practice, then I advise you by all means to imitate him. But if you think he has done wrong throughout, I advise you not to imitate him.
Well then, said Cyrus, if I should do what is right, I should surely not be imitating the one who does wrong.
That is true, said he.
Then, according to your reasoning, your father must be punished, if indeed it is right that the one who does wrong should be punished.
Which do you think is better for you, Cyrus, to mete out your punishments to your benefit or to your own injury?
In the latter case, at least, said he, I should be punishing myself.
Cyropaedia. Xenophon. Walter Miller (Translator). Cambridge, MA. 1914.
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