Book 1
6.17
In the first place, by Zeus, said Cyrus, I try never to eat too much, for that is oppressive; and in the second place, I work off by exercise what I have eaten, for by so doing health seems more likely to endure and strength to accrue. That, then, my son, said he, is the way in which you must take care of the rest also. Yes, father, said he; but will the soldiers find leisure for taking physical exercise?Nay, by Zeus, said his father, they not only can, but they actually must. For if an army is to do its duty, it is absolutely necessary that it never cease to contrive both evil for the enemy and good for itself. What a burden it is to support even one idle man! It is more burdensome still to support a whole household in idleness; but the worst burden of all is to support an army in idleness. For not only are the mouths in an army very numerous but the supplies they start with are exceedingly limited, and they use up most extravagantly whatever they get, so that an army must never be left idle.
6.18
Methinks you mean, father, said he, that just as a lazy farmer is of no account, so also a lazy general is of no account at all. But at any rate, as regards the energetic general, said his father, I can vouch for it that, unless some god do cross him, he will keep his soldiers abundantly supplied with provisions and at the same time in the best physical condition. Yes said Cyrus; but at all events, as toIncentives to physical training and to moral enthusiasm practice in the various warlike exercises, it seems to me, father, that by announcing contests in each one and offering prizes you would best secure practice in them, so that you would have everything prepared for use, whenever you might need it. Quite right, my son, said he; for if you do that you may be sure that you will see your companies performing their proper parts like trained sets of dancers.
