the seventh letter-第8章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
reverence for it； which I have； and would have shrunk from putting
it forth into a world of discord and uncomeliness。 For he wrote it；
not as an aid to memory…since there is no risk of forgetting it； if
a man's soul has once laid hold of it； for it is expressed in the
shortest of statements…but if he wrote it at all； it was from a mean
craving for honour； either putting it forth as his own invention； or
to figure as a man possessed of culture； of which he was not worthy；
if his heart was set on the credit of possessing it。 If then Dionysios
gained this culture from the one lesson which he had from me； we may
perhaps grant him the possession of it； though how he acquired
it…God wot； as the Theban says； for I gave him the teaching； which I
have described； on that one occasion and never again。
The next point which requires to be made clear to anyone who
wishes to discover how things really happened； is the reason why it
came about that I did not continue my teaching in a second and third
lesson and yet oftener。 Does Dionysios； after a single lesson； believe
himself to know the matter； and has he an adequate knowledge of it；
either as having discovered it for himself or learnt it before from
others； or does he believe my teaching to be worthless； or； thirdly；
to be beyond his range and too great for him； and himself to be really
unable to live as one who gives his mind to wisdom and virtue？ For
if he thinks it worthless； he will have to contend with many who say
the opposite； and who would be held in far higher repute as judges
than Dionysios； if on the other hand； he thinks he has discovered or
learnt the things and that they are worth having as part of a
liberal education； how could he； unless he is an extraordinary person；
have so recklessly dishonoured the master who has led the way in these
subjects？ How he dishonoured him； I will now state。
Up to this time he had allowed Dion to remain in possession of his
property and to receive the income from it。 But not long after the
foregoing events； as if he had entirely forgotten his letter to that
effect； he no longer allowed Dion's trustees to send him remittances
to the Peloponnese； on the pretence that the owner of the property was
not Dion but Dion's son； his own nephew； of whom he himself was
legally the trustee。 These were the actual facts which occurred up
to the point which we have reached。 They had opened my eyes as to
the value of Dionysios' desire for philosophy； and I had every right
to complain； whether I wished to do so or not。 Now by this time it was
summer and the season for sea voyages； therefore I decided that I must
not be vexed with Dionysios rather than with myself and those who
had forced me to come for the third time into the strait of Scylla；
that once again I might
To fell Charybdis measure back my course；
but must tell Dionysios that it was impossible for me to remain
after this outrage had been put upon Dion。 He tried to soothe me and
begged me to remain； not thinking it desirable for himself that I
should arrive post haste in person as the bearer of such tidings。 When
his entreaties produced no effect； he promised that he himself would
provide me with transport。 For my intention was to embark on one of
the trading ships and sail away； being indignant and thinking it my
duty to face all dangers； in case I was prevented from going…since
plainly and obviously I was doing no wrong； but was the party wronged。
Seeing me not at all inclined to stay； he devised the following
scheme to make me stay during that sading season。 On the next day he
came to me and made a plausible proposal： 〃Let us put an end；〃 he
said； 〃to these constant quarrels between you and me about Dion and
his affairs。 For your sake I will do this for Dion。 I require him to
take his own property and reside in the Peloponnese； not as an
exile； but on the understanding that it is open for him to migrate
here； when this step has the joint approval of himself； me； and you
his friends； and this shall be open to him on the understanding that
he does not plot against me。 You and your friends and Dion's friends
here must be sureties for him in this； and he must give you
security。 Let the funds which he receives be deposited in the
Peloponnese and at Athens； with persons approved by you； and let
Dion enjoy the income from them but have no power to take them out
of deposit without the approval of you and your friends。 For I have no
great confidence in him； that； if he has this property at his
disposal； he will act justly towards me； for it will be no small
amount； but I have more confidence in you and your friends。 See if
this satisfies you； and on these conditions remain for the present
year； and at the next season you shall depart taking the property with
you。 I am quite sure that Dion will be grateful to you； if you
accomplish so much on his behalf。〃
When I heard this proposal I was vexed； but after reflection said
I would let him know my view of it on the following day。 We agreed
to that effect for the moment； and afterwards when I was by myself I
pondered the matter in much distress。 The first reflection that came
up； leading the way in my self…communing； was this： 〃Come suppose that
Dionysios intends to do none of the things which he has mentioned； but
that； after my departure； he writes a plausible letter to Dion； and
orders several of his creatures to write to the same effect； telling
him of the proposal which he has now made to me； making out that he
was willing to do what he proposed； but that I refused and
completely neglected Dion's interests。 Further； suppose that he is not
willing to allow my departure； and without giving personal orders to
any of the merchants； makes it clear； as he easily can； to all that he
not wish me to sail； will anyone consent to take me as a passenger；
when I leave the house： of Dionysios？〃
For in addition to my other troubles； I was lodging at that time
in the garden which surround his house； from which even the gatekeeper
would have refused to let me go； unless an order had been sent to
him from Dionysios。 〃Suppose however that I wait for the year； I shall
be able to write word of these things to Dion； stating the position in
which I am； and the steps which I am trying to take。 And if
Dionysios does any of the things which he says； I shall have
accomplished something that is not altogether to be sneered at； for
Dion's property is； at a fair estimate； perhaps not less than a
hundred talents。 If however the prospect which I see looming in the
future takes the course which may reasonably be expected； I know not
what I shall do with myself。 Still it is perhaps necessary to go on
working for a year； and to attempt to prove by actual fact the
machinations of Dionysios。〃
Having come to this decision； on the following day I said to
Dionysios； 〃I have decided to remain。 But；〃 I continued； 〃I must ask
that you will not regard me as empowered to act for Dion； but will
along with me write a letter to him； stating what has now been
decided； and enquire whether this course satisfies him。 If it does
not； and if he has other wishes and demands； he must write particulars
of them as soon as possible； and you must not as yet take any hasty
step with regard to his interests。〃
This was what was said and this was the agreement which was made；
almost in these words。 Well； after this the trading…ships took their
departure； and it was no longer possible for me to take mine； when
Dionysios； if you please； addressed me with the remark that half the
property must be regarded as belonging to Dion and half to his son。
Therefore； he said； he would sell it； and when it was sold would
give half to me to take away； and would leave half on the spot for the
son。 This course； he said； was the most just。 This proposal was a blow
to me； and I thought it absurd to argue any longer with him；
however； I said that we
