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But, just as amid the luxuriant foliage and branches of a vine the fruit is often hidden and unnoticed from being in the shadow, so also amid the poetic diction and the tales that hang clustered about, much that is helpful and profitable escapes a young man. This, however, ought not to happen to him, nor should he allow his attention to be diverted from the facts, but he should cling especially close to those that lead toward virtue and have the power to mould character. In which regard it may not be a bad thing to treat this topic briefly, touching summarily the principal points, but leaving any extended and constructive treatment, and long list of examples, to those who write more for display. In the first place, then, as the young man takes note of good and bad characters and personages, let him pay attention to the lines and the actions which the poet assigns to them as respectively befitting. For example, Achilles says to Agamemnon, although he speaks with anger: Never a prize like yours is mine whene’er the Achaeans Capture and sack some goodly and populous town of the Trojans.Homer, Il. i. 163. But Thersites in reviling the same man says: Full of bronze are your quarters, and many, too, are the women, Chosen from all the captives for you, and these we Achaeans Give to you first of all whenever we capture a city. Ibid. ii. 226. And on another occasion Achilles says, If perchance Zeus ever Grants to us that we plunder Troy, the well-walled city, Ibid. i. 128. but Thersites, One that I or another Achaean may bring in as captive.Homer, Il. ii. 231. At another time, in the Inspection, when Agamemnon upbraided Diomede, the latter made no answer, Showing respect for the stern rebuke of a king so respected. Ibid. iv. 402. But Sthenelus, a man of no account, says: Son of Atreus, speak not to deceive, knowing how to speak clearly; We can avow ourselves to be better far than our fathers. Ibid. 404. A difference of this sort then, if not overlooked, will teach the young man to regard modesty and moderation as a mark of refinement, but to be on his guard against boasting and self-assertion as a mark of meanness. It is useful to note also the behaviour of Agamemnon in this case; for Sthenelus he passed by without a word, but Odysseus he did not disregard, but made answer and addressed him, When he saw he was wroth, and tried to retract his saying. Ibid. 357. For to defend one’s actions to everybody smacks of servility, not of dignity, while to despise everybody is arrogant and foolish. And most excellently does Diomede in the battle hold his peace, although upbraided by the king, but after the battle he uses plain speech to him: First let me say that you ’mid the Danaans slighted my prowess Ibid. ix. 34.
