12
Nay, you must consider that no athlete is so in duty bound to train against his competitors as are you to take thought how you may vie with your father in his ways of life. But it is not possible for the mind to be so disposed unless one is fraught with many noble maxims; for, as it is the nature of the body to be developed by appropriate exercises, it is the nature of the soul to be developed by moral precepts. Wherefore I shall endeavor to set before you concisely by what practices I think you can make the most progress toward virtue and win the highest repute in the eyes of all other men.
13
First of all, then, show devotion to the gods,Cf. Theognis 171 θεοῖς εὐχευ, θεοῖς ἐστιν ἔπι κράτος. not merely by doing sacrifice, but also by keeping your vows; for the former is but evidence of a material prosperity, whereas the latter is proof of a noble character. Do honor to the divine power at all times, but especially on occasions of public worship; for thus you will have the reputation both of sacrificing to the gods and of abiding by the laws.
14
Conduct yourself toward your parents as you would have your children conduct themselves toward you.Isocrates anticipates the golden rule.Cf. Isoc. 3.61; Isoc. 2.24, 38; Isoc. 4.81. Train your body, not by the exercises which conduce to strength, but by those which conduce to health. In this you will succeed if you cease your exertions while you still have energy to exert yourself.
