topAristeas #8
(236-274)

Chapter 8
Verses 236 to 274

236 Τῇ δὲ ἐπιούσῃ κατὰ τὰ αὐτὰ‎ τῆς διατάξεως τοῦ συμποσίου γενομένης, καθὼς εὔκαιρον ἐγένετο τῷ βασιλεῖ, τοὺς ἑξῆς ἐρώτα τῶν προαποκεκριμένων, εἶπε δὲ τῷ πρώτῳ Τὸ‎ φρονεῖν εἰ διδακτόν ἐστιν; ὃς δ’ εἶπε Ψυχῆς ἐστιν κατασκευὴ διὰ θείας δυνάμεως ἐπιδέχεσθαι πᾶν τὸ καλόν, ἀποστρέφεσθαι δὲ τἀναντία. 236 On the following day the same arrangements were made for the banquet, and the king, as soon as an opportunity occurred, began to put questions to the men who sat next to those who had already responded, and he said to the first “Is wisdom capable of being taught?” And he said, “The soul is so constituted that it is able by the divine power to receive all the good and reject the contrary.”
237 Συνομολογήσας δὲ τὸν ἐχόμενον ἠρώτα Τί πρὸς ὑγείαν μάλιστα συντείνει; Ἐκεῖνος δὲ ἔφη Σωφροσύνη·

ταύτης δὲ οὐκ‎ ἔστι τυχεῖν, ἐὰν‎ μὴ‎ θεὸς κατασκευάσῃ τὴν διάνοιαν εἰς τοῦτο. 		237 The king expressed approval and asked the next man, What is it that is most beneficial to health? And he said, “Temperance, and it is not possible to acquire this unless God create a disposition towards it.”
238 Παρακαλέσας δὲ τοῦτον πρὸς τὸν ἕτερον ἔφη Πῶς ἂν‎ γονεῦσι τὰς ἀξίας ἀποδῴη χάριτας; ὃς δὲ εἶπε Μηδὲν αὐτοὺς λυπήσας·

τοῦτο δ’ οὐκ‎ ἔστιν‎, εἰ μὴ‎ θεὸς τῆς διανοίας ἡγεμὼν γένοιτο πρὸς τὰ κάλλιστα‎. 		238 The king spoke kindly to the man and said to another, “How can a man worthily pay the debt of gratitude to his parents?” And he said, “By never causing them pain, and this is not possible unless God dispose the mind to the pursuit of the noblest ends.”
239 Προσεπινεύσας δὲ τούτῳ τὸν ἑξῆς ἠρώτα Πῶς ἂν‎ φιλήκοος εἴη; Ἐκεῖνος δὲ εἶπε διαλαμβάνων ὅτι πάντα‎ συμφέρει γινώσκειν, ὅπως‎ ἂν‎ πρὸς τὰ συμβαίνοντα ἐκλεγόμενός τι τῶν ἠκροαμένων ἀνθυποτιθεὶς πρὸς τὰ τῶν καιρῶν ἂν‎ ἀντιπράσσηται, σὺν χειραγωγίᾳ θεοῦ·

τοῦτο δ’ ἐστίν, αἱ‎ τῶν πράξεων τελειώσεις ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ‎. 		239 The king expressed agreement and asked the next How he could become an eager listener? And he said, “By remembering that all knowledge is useful, because it enables you by the help of God in a time of emergency to select some of the things which you have learned and apply them to the crisis which confronts you.

And so the efforts of men are fulfilled by the assistance of God.”
240 Τοῦτον δὲ ἐπαινέσας πρὸς τὸν ἕτερον εἶπε Πῶς ἂν‎ μηθὲν παράνομον πράσσοι; πρὸς τοῦτο ἔφησε Γινώσκων ὅτι τὰς ἐπινοίας ὁ θεὸς ἔδωκε τοῖς νομοθετήσασι πρὸς τὸ σώζεσθαι τοὺς βίους τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἀκόλουθος εἴης ἂν‎ αὐτοῖς‎. 240 The king praised him and asked the next How he could avoid doing anything contrary to law? And he said, “If you recognize that it is God who has put the thoughts into the hearts of the lawgivers that the lives of men might be preserved, you will follow them.”
241 ἀποδεξάμενος δὲ αὐτὸν‎ πρὸς ἕτερον εἶπε Τίς ὠφέλεια συγγενείας ἐστίν; ὁ‎ δὲ ἀπεφήνατο Ἐὰν τοῖς συμβαίνουσι νομίζωμεν ἀτυχοῦσιν μὲν ἐλαττοῦσθαι, καὶ κακοπαθῶμεν ὡς‎ αὐτοί, φαίνεται τὸ συγγενὲς ὅσον ἰσχῦόν ἐστι – 241 The king acknowledged the man's answer and said to another, “What is the advantage of kinship?” And he replied, “If we consider that we ourselves are afflicted by the misfortunes which fall upon our relatives and if their sufferings become our own -
242 τελουμένων δὲ τούτων καὶ δόξα καὶ προκοπὴ παρὰ τοῖς τοιούτοις ὑπάρξει·

τὸ γὰρ συνεργὲς εὐνόως γινόμενον ὡς‎ Ἐξ ἑαυτοῦ ἀδιάλυτον πρὸς ἅπαντα – μετὰ‎ δὲ εὐημερίας, μηδὲν προσδεῖσθαι τῶν ἐκεῖνων·

ἀλλὰ δέον {θεὸν} ἱκετεύειν, πάντα‎ ἀγαθοποιεῖν. 		242 then the strength of kinship is apparent at once, for it is only when such feeling is shown that we shall win honour and esteem in their eyes.

For help, when it is linked with kindliness, is of itself a bond which is altogether indissoluble.

And in the day of their prosperity we must not crave their possessions, but must pray God to bestow all manner of good upon them.”
243 Ὡσαύτως δὲ ἐκεῖνοις ἀποδεξάμενος αὐτὸν‎ ἄλλον ἠρώτα Πῶς ἀφοβίας γίνεται; εἶπε δέ Συνιστορούσης τῆς διανοίας μηδὲν κακὸν πεπραχέναι, θεοῦ κατευθύνοντος εἰς τὸ καλῶς ἅπαντα βουλεύεσθαι. 243 And having accorded to him the same praise as to the rest, the king asked another How he could attain freedom from fear? And he said, “When the mind is conscious that it has wrought no evil, and when God directs it to all noble counsels.”
244 Τούτῳ δὲ ἐπιφωνήσας πρὸς ἄλλον εἶπε Πῶς ἂν‎ προχείρως ἔχοι τὸν ὀρθὸν λόγον; ὁ‎ δὲ εἶπεν Εἰ τὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἀτυχήματα διὰ παντὸς‎ ἐπιβλέποι·

γινώσκων ὅτι ὁ θεὸς ἀφαιρεῖται τὰς εὐημερίας, ἑτέρους δὲ δοξάζων εἰς τὸ τιμᾶσθαι προάγει. 		244 The king expressed his approval and asked another How he could always maintain a right judgment? And he replied, “If he constantly set before his eyes the misfortunes which befall men and recognized that it is God who takes away prosperity from some and brings others to great honour and glory.”
245 Καλῶς δὲ‎ καὶ τοῦτον ἀποδεξάμενος τὸν ἑξῆς ἀποκριθῆναι παρεκάλει Πῶς ἂν‎ μὴ‎ εἰς ῥᾳθυμίαν, μηδὲ ἐπὶ τὰς ἡδονὰς τρέποιτο; ὁ‎ δὲ Προχείρως ἔχων‎, εἶπεν, ὅτι μεγάλης βασιλείας κατάρχει καὶ πολλῶν ὄχλων ἀφηγεῖται, καὶ οὐ‎ δεῖ περὶ ἕτερόν τι τὴν διάνοιαν εἶναι, τῆς‎ δὲ τούτων ἐπιμελείας φροντίζειν·

θεὸν δὲ ἀξιοῦν, ὅπως‎ μηθὲν ἐλλίπῃ τῶν καθηκόντων. 		245 The king gave a kindly reception to the man and asked the next to answer the question How he could avoid a life of ease and pleasure? And he replied, “If he continually remembered that he was the ruler of a great empire and the lord of vast multitudes, and that his mind ought not to be occupied with other things, but he ought always to be considering how he could best promote their welfare.

He must pray, too, to God that no duty might be neglected.”
246 Ἐπαινέσας δὲ‎ καὶ τοῦτον τὸν δέκατον {ἠρώτα Πῶς ἂν‎ ἐπιγινώσκοι} τοὺς δόλῳ τινὶ πρὸς αὐτὸν‎ πράσσοντας; ὁ‎ δὲ ἀπεφήνατο πρὸς τοῦτο Εἰ παρατηροῖτο τὴν ἀγωγὴν ἐλευθέριον οὖσαν, καὶ τὴν εὐταξίαν διαμένουσαν ἐν τοῖς ἀσπασμοῖς καὶ συμβουλίαις καὶ τῇ λοιπῇ συναναστροφῇ τῶν σὺν αὐτῷ, καὶ μηθὲν ὑπερτείνοντας τοῦ δέοντος ἐν ταῖς φιλοφρονήσεσι καὶ τοῖς λοιποῖς τοῖς κατὰ τὴν ἀγωγήν. 246 Having bestowed praise upon him, the king asked the tenth How he could recognize those who were dealing treacherously with him? And he replied to the question, “If he observed whether the bearing of those about him was natural and whether they maintained the proper rule of precedence at receptions and councils, and in their general intercourse, never going beyond the bounds of propriety in congratulations or in other matters of deportment.
247 θεὸς δὲ τὴν διάνοιαν {ἄξει} σοι, βασιλεῦ, πρὸς τὰ κάλλιστα‎.

Συγκροτήσας πάντας τ’ ἐπαινέσας κατ’ ὄνομα, καὶ τῶν παρόντων ταὐτὰ ποιούντων, ἐπὶ τὸ μέλπειν ἐτράπησαν. 		247 But God will incline your mind, O King, to all that is noble.” When the king had expressed his loud approval and praised them all individually (amid the plaudits of all who were present), they turned to the enjoyment of the feast.
248 Τῇ δὲ ἐχομένῃ τὸν καιρὸν λαβὼν ἐπηρώτα τὸν ἑξῆς Τίς ἐστιν ἀμέλεια μεγίστη; πρὸς τοῦτ’ ἔφη Εἰ τέκνων ἄφροντίς τις εἴη, καὶ μὴ‎ κατὰ πάντα‎ τρόπον ἀγαγεῖν {σπεύδοι}·

εὐχόμεθα γὰρ ἀεὶ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, οὐχ οὕτως‎ περὶ ἑαυτῶν ὡς‎ περὶ τῶν ἐγγόνων, ἵνα‎ παρῇ πάντα‎ αὐτοῖς‎ τὰ ἀγαθά.

τὸ‎ δὲ ἐπιδεῖσθαι παιδία σωφροσύνης μετασχεῖν, θεοῦ δυνάμει τοῦτο γίνεται. 		248 And on the next day, when the opportunity offered, the king asked the next man, What is the grossest form of neglect? And he replied, “If a man does not care for his children and devote every effort to their education.

For w always pray to God not so much for ourselves as for our children that every blessing may be theirs.

Our desire that our children may possess self-control is only realized by the power of God.”
249 φήσας δὲ εὐλογεῖν ἄλλον ἠρώτα Πῶς ἂν‎ φιλόπατρις εἴη; Προτιθέμενος, εἶπεν, ὅτι καλὸν ἐν ἰδίᾳ καὶ ζῇν καὶ τελευτᾷν.

ἡ‎ δὲ ξενία τοῖς μὲν πένησι καταφρόνησιν ἐργάζεται, τοῖς δὲ πλουσίοις ὄνειδος, ὡς‎ διὰ κακίαν ἐκπεπτωκόσιν.

εὐεργετῶν οὖν ἅπαντας, καθὼς συνεχῶς τοῦτ’ ἐπιτελεῖς, θεοῦ διδόντος σοὶ πρὸς πάντα‎ χάριν, φιλόπατρις φανήσῃ. 		249 The king said that he had spoken well and then asked another How he could be patriotic? “By keeping before your mind,” he replied, the thought that it is good to live and die in one's own country.

Residence abroad brings contempt upon the poor and shame upon the rich as though they had been banished for a crime.

If you bestow benefits upon all, as you continually do, God will give you favour with all and you will be accounted patriotic.”
250 Τούτου δὲ ἀκούσας τοῦ κατὰ τὸ ἑξῆς ἐπυνθάνετο Πῶς {ἂν‎} ἁρμόσαι γυναικί; {Γινώσκων} ὅτι μὲν θρασύ ἐστιν, ἔφη, τὸ θῆλυ γένος, καὶ δραστικὸν ἐφ’ ὃ βούλεται πρᾶγμα, καὶ μεταπῖπτον εὐκόπως διὰ παραλογισμοῦ, καὶ τῇ φύσει κατεσκεύασται ἀσθενές·

δέον δ’ ἐστὶ κατὰ τὸ ὑγιὲς χρῆσθαι, καὶ μὴ‎ πρὸς ἔριν ἀντιπράσσειν. 		250 After listening to this man, the king asked the next in order How he could live amicably with his wife? And he answered, “By recognizing that womankind are by nature headstrong and energetic in the pursuit of their own desires, and subject to sudden changes of opinion through fallacious reasoning, and their nature is essentially weak.

It is necessary to deal wisely with them and not to provoke strife.
251 κατορθοῦται γὰρ βίος, ὅταν ὁ κυβερνῶν εἰδῇ, πρὸς τίνα σκοπὸν δεῖ τὴν διέξοδον ποιεῖσθαι.

θεοῦ δ’ ἐπικλήσει καὶ βίος κυβερνᾶται κατὰ πάντα‎. 		251 For the successful conduct of life the steersman must know the goal toward which he ought to direct his course.

It is only by calling upon the help of God that men can steer a true course of life at all times.”
252 Συνανθομολογησάμενος δὲ τούτῳ τὸν ἑξῆς ἠρώτα Πῶς {ἂν‎} ἀναμάρτητος εἴη; ὁ‎ δὲ ἔφησεν Ὡς ἅπαντα πράσσων καὶ μετὰ‎ διαλογισμοῦ καὶ μὴ‎ πειθόμενος διαβολαῖς, ἀλλ’ αὐτὸς‎ ὢν‎ δοκιμαστὴς τῶν λεγομένων καὶ κρίσει κατευθύνων τὰ τῶν ἐντεύξεων καὶ διὰ κρίσεως ἐπιτελῶν ταῦτα‎ ἀναμάρτητος, ἔφησεν, ἂν‎ εἴης, ὦ βασιλεῦ.

τὸ δ’ ἐπινοεῖν ταῦτα‎ καὶ ἐν τούτοις‎ ἀναστρέφεσθαι θείας δυνάμεώς ἐστιν ἔργον. 		252 The king expressed his agreement and asked the next How he could be free from error? And he replied, “If you always act with deliberation and never give credence to slanders, but prove for yourself the things that are said to you and decide by your own judgment the requests which are made to you and carry out everything in the light of your judgment, you will be free from error, O King.

But the knowledge and practice of these things is the work of the Divine power.”
253 Διαχυθεὶς δὲ τοῖς εἰρημένοις τὸν ἕτερον ἠρώτα Πῶς ἂν‎ ἐκτὸς θυμοῦ γένοιτο; πρὸς τοῦτ’ εἶπε Γινώσκων ὅτι πάντων ἐξουσίαν ἔχει, καί, εἰ χρήσαιτο θυμῷ, θάνατον ἐπιφέρει·

ὅπερ ἀνωφελὲς καὶ ἀλγεινόν ἐστιν, εἰ τὸ ζῇν ἀφελεῖται πολλῶν, διὰ τὸ κύριον εἶναι.

πάντων δ’ ὑπηκόων ὄντων καὶ μηδενὸς ἐναντιουμένου, τίνος χάριν θυμωθήσεται; 		253 Delighted with these words, the king asked another How he could be free from wrath? And he said in reply to the question, “If he recognized that he had power over all even to inflict death upon them, if he gave way to wrath, and that it would be useless and pitiful if he, just because he was lord, deprived many of life.

What need was there for wrath, when all men were in subjection and no one was hostile to him?
254 γινώσκειν δὲ δεῖ, διότι θεὸς τὸν πάντα‎ κόσμον διοικεῖ μετ’ εὐμενείας καὶ χωρὶς ὀργῆς ἁπάσης·

τούτῳ δὲ κατακολουθεῖν ἀναγκαῖόν ἐστί‎ σε, ἔφησεν, ὦ βασιλεῦ. 		254 It is necessary to recognize that God rules the whole world in the spirit of kindness and without wrath at all, and you,” said he, “O king, must of necessity copy His example.
255 Καλῶς δὲ ἀποκεκρίσθαι φήσας τοῦτον ἐπυνθάνετο τοῦ μετέπειτα Τί ἐστιν εὐβουλία; Τὸ‎ καλῶς ἅπαντα πράσσειν, ἀπεφήνατο, μετὰ‎ διαλογισμοῦ, κατὰ τὴν βουλὴν παρατιθέντα καὶ {τὰ} βλαβερὰ τῶν κατὰ τὸ ἐναντίον τοῦ λόγου διάστημα, ἵνα‎ πρὸς ἕκαστον ἐπινοήσαντες ὦμεν εὖ βεβουλευμένοι, καὶ τὸ προτεθὲν ἡμῖν ἐπιτελῆται.

τὸ δ’ αὖ κράτιστον, θεοῦ δυναστείᾳ πᾶν βεβούλευμαι {τελείωσιν ἕξει} σοι τὴν εὐσέβειαν ἀσκοῦντι. 		255 The king said that he had answered well and then inquired of the next man, What is good counsel? “To act well at all times and with due reflection,” he explained, “comparing what is advantageous to our own policy with the injurious effects that would result from the adoption of the opposite view, in order that by weighing every point we may be well advised and our purpose may be accomplished.

And most important of all, by the power of God every plan of yours will find fulfilment because you practice piety.”
256 Κατωρθωκέναι δὲ‎ καὶ τοῦτον εἰπὼν ἄλλον ἠρώτα Τί ἐστι φιλοσοφία; Τὸ‎ καλῶς διαλογίζεσθαι πρὸς ἕκαστον τῶν συμβαινόντων, ἀπεφήνατο, καὶ μὴ‎ ἐκφέρεσθαι ταῖς ὁρμαῖς, ἀλλὰ τὰς βλάβας καταμελετᾷν τὰς ἐκ τῶν ἐπιθυμιῶν ἐκβαινούσας, καὶ τὰ πρὸς τὸν καιρὸν πράσσειν δεόντως μετριοπαθῆ καθεστῶτα.

ἵνα‎ δ’ ἐπίστασιν τούτων λαμβάνωμεν, θεραπεύειν δεῖ τὸν θεόν. 		256 The king said that this man had answered well, and asked another What is philosophy? And he explained, “To deliberate well in reference to any question that emerges and never to be carried away by impulses, but to ponder over the injuries that result from the passions, and to act rightly as the circumstances demand, practicing moderation.

But we must pray to God to instil into our mind a regard for these things.”
257 Ἐπισημήνας δὲ‎ καὶ τοῦτον ἕτερον ἠρώτα Πῶς ἂν‎ ἀποδοχῆς {ἐν ξενιτείᾳ} τυγχάνοι; Πᾶσιν ἴσος γινόμενος, ἔφη, καὶ μᾶλλον ἥττων ἢ καθυπερέχων φαινόμενος πρὸς οὓς ξενιτεύει.

κοινῶς γὰρ ὁ θεὸς τὸ ταπεινούμενον προσδέχεται κατὰ φύσιν, καὶ τὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων γένος τοὺς ὑποτασσομένους φιλανθρωπεῖ. 		257 The king signified his consent and asked another How he could meet with recognition when travelling abroad? “By being fair to all men,” he replied, “and by appearing to be inferior rather than superior to those amongst whom he was travelling.

For it is a recognized principle that God by His very nature accepts the humble.

And the human race loves those who are willing to be in subjection to them.”
258 Ἐπιμαρτυρήσας δὲ τούτοις‎ ἄλλον ἠρώτα Πῶς {ἃ} ἂν‎ κατασκευάσῃ καὶ μετὰ‎ τοῦτο διαμένῃ; πρὸς τοῦτ’ εἶπεν Εἰ μεγάλα καὶ σεμνὰ ταῖς ποιήσεσιν ἐπιτελοῖ, πρὸς τὸ φείσασθαι τοὺς θεωροῦντας διὰ τὴν καλλονή, καὶ μηθένα τῶν κατεργαζομένων τὰ τοιαῦτα παραπέμποι, μηδὲ τοὺς ἄλλους ἀμισθὶ συντελεῖν ἀναγκάζοι τὰ πρὸς τὴν χρείαν. 258 Having expressed his approval at this reply, the king asked another How he could build in such a way that his structures would endure after him? And he replied to the question, “If his creations were on a great and noble scale, so that the beholders would spare them for their beauty, and if he never dismissed any of those who wrought such works and never compelled others to minister to his needs without wages.
259 διανοούμενος γὰρ ὡς‎ θεὸς πολυωρεῖ τὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων γένος, χορηγῶν αὐτοῖς‎ καὶ ὑγείαν καὶ εὐαισθησίαν καὶ τὰ λοιπά, καὶ αὐτὸς‎ ἀκόλουθόν τι πράξει τῶν κακοπαθειῶν ἀποδιδοὺς τὴν ἀντάμειψιν.

τὰ γὰρ ἐκ δικαιοσύνης τελούμενα, ταῦτα‎ καὶ διαμένει. 		259 For observing how God provides for the human race, granting them health and mental capacity and all other gifts, he himself should follow His example by rendering to men a recompense for their arduous toil.

For it is the deeds that are wrought in righteousness that abide continually.”
260 Εὖ δὲ‎ καὶ τοῦτον εἰρηκέναι φήσας τὸν δέκατον ἠρώτα Τί ἐστι σοφίας‎ καρπός; ὁ‎ δὲ εἶπε Τὸ‎ μὴ‎ συνιστορεῖν ἑαυτῷ κακὸν πεπραχότι, τὸν‎ δὲ βίον ἐν ἀληθείᾳ διεξάγειν. 260 The king said that this man, too, had answered well and asked the tenth, What is the fruit of wisdom? And he replied, “That a man should be conscious in himself that he has wrought no evil and that he should live his life in the truth,
261 ἐκ τούτων γὰρ κρατίστη χαρὰ καὶ ψυχῆς εὐστάθειά σοι γίνεται, μέγιστε βασιλεῦ, καὶ ἐλπίδες ἐπὶ θεῷ καλαὶ κρατοῦντί σοι τῆς ἀρχῆς εὐσεβῶς.

Ὡς δὲ συνήκουσαν πάντες ἐπεφώνησαν σὺν κρότῳ πλείονι.

καὶ μετὰ‎ ταῦτα‎ πρὸς τὸ προπιεῖν ὁ βασιλεὺς‎ [λαμβάνειν] ἐτράπη, χαρᾷ πεπληρωμένος. 		261 since it is from these, O mighty King, that the greatest joy and steadfastness of soul and strong faith in God accrue to you if you rule your realm in piety.” And when they heard the answer they all shouted with loud acclaim, and afterwards the king in the fullness of his joy began to drink their healths.
262 Τῇ δ’ ἑξῆς καθὼς πρότερον ἡ‎ διάταξις ἦν τῶν κατὰ τὸν πότον ἐπιτελουμένων, καιροῦ δὲ γενομένου τοὺς ἀπολιπόντας ὁ βασιλεὺς‎ ἐπηρώτα.

πρὸς τὸν πρῶτον δὲ ἔφη Πῶς ἂν‎ μὴ‎ τραπείη τις εἰς ὑπερηφανίαν; 		262 And on the next day the banquet followed the same course as on previous occasions, and when the opportunity presented itself the king proceeded to put questions to the remaining guests, and he said to the first, “How can a man keep himself from pride?”
263 ἀπεκρίθη δὲ Εἰ τὴν ἰσότητα τηροῖ, καὶ παρ’ ἕκαστον ἑαυτὸν ὑπομιμνήσκοι, καθὼς ἄνθρωπος ὢν‎ ἀνθρώπων ἡγεῖται.

καὶ ὁ θεὸς τοὺς ὑπερηφάνους καθαιρεῖ, τοὺς δὲ ἐπιεικεῖς καὶ ταπεινοὺς ὑψοῖ. 		263 And he replied, “If he maintains equality and remembers on all occasions that he is a man ruling over men.

And God brings the proud to nought, and exalts the meek and humble.”
264 Παρακαλέσας δὲ αὐτὸν‎ τὸν ἑξῆς ἐπηρώτα Τίσι δεῖ συμβούλοις χρῆσθαι; τοῖς διὰ πολλῶν, ἔφη, πεπειραμένοις πραγμάτων καὶ τὴν εὔνοιαν συντηροῦσιν ἀκέραιον πρὸς αὐτὸν‎ καὶ τῶν τρόπων ὅσοι μετέχουσιν αὐτῷ.

θεοῦ ἐπιφάνεια γίνεται πρὸς τὰ τοιαῦτα τοῖς ἀξίοις. 		264 The king spoke kindly to him and asked the next, Whom ought a man to select as his counsellors? and he replied, “ Those who have been tested in many affairs and maintain unmingled goodwill towards him and partake of his own disposition.

And God manifests Himself to those who are worthy that these ends may be attained.”
265 Ἐπαινέσας δὲ αὐτὸν‎ ἄλλον ἠρώτα Τίς ἐστι βασιλεῖ κτῆσις ἀναγκαιοτάτη; Τῶν ὑποτεταγμένων φιλανθρωπία καὶ ἀγάπησις, ἀπεκρίνατο.

διὰ γὰρ τούτων ἄλυτος εὐνοίας δεσμὸς γίνεται.

τὸ‎ δὲ γίνεσθαι κατὰ προαίρεσιν ταῦτα‎ ὁ θεὸς ἐπιτελεῖ. 		265 The king praised him and asked another, What is the most necessary possession for a king? “The friendship and love of his subjects,” he replied, “for it is through this that the bond of goodwill is rendered indissoluble.

And it is God who ensures that this may come to pass in accordance with your wish.”
266 Κατεπαινέσας δὲ αὐτὸν‎ ἑτέρου διεπυνθάνετο Τί πέρας ἐστὶ λόγου; κἀκεῖνος δὲ ἔφησε Τὸ‎ πεῖσαι τὸν ἀντιλέγοντα, διὰ τῆς ὑποτεταγμένης τάξεως τὰς βλάβας ἐπιδεικνύντα·

οὕτω γὰρ λήψῃ τὸν ἀκροατὴν οὐκ‎ ἀντικείμενος, συγχρώμενος δὲ ἐπαίνῳ πρὸς τὸ πεῖσαι.

θεοῦ δὲ ἐνεργείᾳ κατευθύνεται πειθώ. 		266 The king praised him and inquired of another, What is the goal of speech? And he replied, “To convince your opponent by showing him his mistakes in a well-ordered array of arguments.

For in this way you will win your hearer, not by opposing him, but by bestowing praise upon him with a view to persuading him.

And it is by the power of God that persuasion is accomplished.”
267 Εὖ δὲ λέγειν φήσας αὐτὸν‎ ἕτερον ἠρώτα Πῶς ἂν‎, παμμιγῶν ὄχλων ὄντων ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ, τούτοις‎ {ἁρμόσαι}; Τὸ‎ πρέπον ἑκάστῳ συνυποκρινόμενος, εἶπε, καθηγεμόνα λαμβάνων δικαιοσύνην·

ὡς‎ καὶ ποιεῖς θεοῦ σοι διδόντος εὖ λογίζεσθαι. 		267 The king said that he had given a good answer, and asked another How he could live amicably with the many different races who formed the population of his kingdom? “By acting the proper part towards each,” he replied, “and taking righteousness as your guide, as you are now doing with the help of the insight which God bestows upon you.”
268 Φιλοφρονηθεὶς δὲ τούτῳ πρὸς τὸν ἕτερον εἶπεν Ἐπὶ τίσι δεῖ λυπεῖσθαι; πρὸς ταῦτα‎ ἀπεκρίθη Τὰ συμβαίνοντα τοῖς φίλοις ὅταν θεωρῶμεν πολυχρόνια καὶ ἀνέκφευκτα γινόμενα.

τελευτήσασι μὲν γὰρ καὶ κακῶν ἀπολελυμένοις οὐχ ὑπογράφει λύπην ὁ λόγος·

ἀλλὰ ἐφ’ ἑαυτοὺς ἀναφέροντες καὶ τὸ πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς συμφέρον λυποῦνται πάντες ἄνθρωποι.

τὸ δ’ ἐκφυγεῖν πᾶν κακὸν θεοῦ δυνάμει γίνεται. 		268 The king was delighted by this reply, and asked another “Under what circumstances ought a man to suffer grief?” “In the misfortunes that befall our friends,” he replied, when we see that they are protracted and irremediable.

Reason does not allow us to grieve for those who are dead and set free from evil, but all men do grieve over them because they think only of themselves and their own advantage.

It is by the power of God alone that we can escape all evil.”
269 Ὡς ἔδει δὲ φήσας αὐτὸν‎ ἀποκρίνεσθαι πρὸς ἕτερον εἶπε Πῶς ἀδοξία γίνεται; Ἐκεῖνος δὲ ἔφησεν Ὅταν ὑπερηφανία καθηγῆται καὶ θράσος ἄληκτον, ἀτιμασμὸς ἐπιφύεται καὶ δόξης Ἀναίρεσις.

θεὸς δὲ δόξης πάσης κυριεύει, ῥέπων οὗ βούλεται. 		269 The king said that he had given a fitting answer, and asked another, How is reputation lost? And he replied, When pride and unbounded self-confidence hold sway, dishonour and loss of reputation are engendered.

For God is the Lord of all reputation and bestows it where He will.”
270 Καὶ τούτῳ δ’ ἐπικυρώσας τὰ τῆς ἀποκρίσεως τὸν ἑξῆς ἠρώτα Τίσι δεῖ πιστεύειν ἑαυτόν; Τοῖς διὰ τὴν εὔνοιαν, εἶπε, συνοῦσί σοι, καὶ μὴ‎ διὰ τὸν φόβον μηδὲ διὰ πολυωρία, ἐπανάγουσι πάντα‎ πρὸς τὸ κερδαίνειν.

τὸ μὲν γὰρ ἀγαπήσεως‎ σημεῖον, τὸ‎ δὲ δυσνοίας καὶ καιροτηρησίας·

ὃς γὰρ ἐπὶ τὸ πλεονεκτεῖν {ὁρμᾶται} προδότης πέφυκε.

σὺ δὲ πάντας εὐνόους ἔχεις θεοῦ σοι καλὴν βουλὴν διδόντος. 		270 The king gave his confirmation to the answer, and asked the next man, To whom ought men to entrust themselves? “To those,” he replied, who serve you from goodwill and not from fear or self-interest, thinking only of their own gain.

For the one is the sign of love, the other the mark of ill-will and time-serving.

For the man who is always watching, for his own gain is a traitor at heart.

But you possess the affection of all your subjects by the help of the good counsel which God bestows upon you.”
271 Τὴν προαίρεσιν ἔχοντες ἡμεῖς πρὸς τὸ περιέργως τὰ θεῖα κατανοεῖν, ἑαυτοὺς ἐπεδώκαμεν εἰς τὸν προειρημένον ἄνδρα‎ πρεσβείαν, καλοκἀγαθίᾳ καὶ δόξῃ προτετιμημένον ὑπό τε τῶν πολιτῶν καὶ τῶν ἄλλων, καὶ κατακεκτημένον μεγίστην ὠφέλειαν τοῖς σὺν ἑαυτῷ καὶ τοῖς κατὰ τοὺς ἄλλους τόπους πολίταις, πρὸς τὴν ἑρμηνείαν τοῦ θείου νόμου, διὰ τὸ γεγράφθαι παρ’ αὐτοῖς‎ ἐν διφθέραις ἑβραϊκοῖς γράμμασιν. 271 The king said that he had answered wisely, and asked another, What is it that keeps a kingdom safe? And he replied to the question, “Care and forethought that no evil may be wrought by those who are placed in a position of authority over the people, and this you always do by the help of God who inspires you with grave judgment.”
272 Θαρσύνας δὲ τοῦτον ἕτερον ἐπηρώτα Τί διαφυλάσσει χάριτα καὶ τιμήν; ὁ‎ δὲ εἶπεν Ἀρετή.

καλῶν γὰρ ἔργων ἐστὶν ἐπιτέλεια, τὸ‎ δὲ κακὸν ἀποτρίβεται·

καθὼς σὺ διατηρεῖς τὴν πρὸς ἅπαντας καλοκἀγαθίαν παρὰ θεοῦ δῶρον τοῦτ’ ἔχων‎. 		272 The king spoke words of encouragement to him, and asked another, What is it that maintains gratitude and honour? And he replied, “Virtue, for it is the creator of good deeds, and by it evil is destroyed, even as you exhibit nobility of character towards all by the gift which God bestows upon you.”
273 Κεχαρισμένως δὲ‎ καὶ τοῦτον ἀποδεξάμενος τὸν ἑνδέκατον ἐπηρώτα (διὰ τὸ δύο πλεονάζειν τῶν ἑβδομήκοντα) Πῶς ἂν‎ κατὰ ψυχὴν‎ καὶ ἐν τοῖς πολέμοις εἰρηνικῶς ἔχοι; ὁ‎ δὲ ἀπεφήνατο διαλαμβάνων ὅτι κακὸν οὐδὲν εἴργασται τῶν ὑποτεταγμένων οὐθενί, πάντες δὲ ἀγωνιοῦνται περὶ τῶν εὐεργετημάτων, εἰδότες, κἂν ἐκ τοῦ ζῇν ἀποτρέχωσιν, ἐπιμελητήν σε τῶν βίων. 273 The king graciously acknowledged the answer and asked the eleventh (since there were two more than seventy), How he could in time of war maintain tranquillity of soul? And he replied, “By remembering that he had done no evil to any of his subjects, and that all would fight for him in return for the benefits which they had received, knowing that even if they lose their lives, you will care for those dependent on them.
274 οὐ‎ γὰρ διαλείπεις ἐπανορθῶν ἅπαντας τοῦ θεοῦ σοι καλοφροσύνην ἀποδεδωκότος.

Ἐπισημήνας δὲ κρότῳ πάντας αὐτοὺς ἀπεδέξατο φιλοφρονούμενος, καὶ προπίνων ἑκάστῳ πλεῖόν τι πρὸς τὸ τερφθῆναι {ἐτράπη}, μετ’ εὐφροσύνης τοῖς ἀνδράσι συνὼν καὶ χαρᾶς πλείονος. 		274 For you never fail to make reparation to any – such is the kind-heartedness with which God has inspired you.” The king loudly applauded them all and spoke very kindly to them and then drank a long draught to the health of each, giving himself up to enjoyment, and lavishing the most generous and joyous friendship upon his guests.