49
And, furthermore, this too is evident, that philosophyBy “philosophy” Isocrates means τὴν περὶ τοὺς λόγους παίδευσιν of §49, fin.—the training in, and cultivation of, the art of discourse., which is already in mortal jeopardy and is hated, will be detested even more because of such discourses. If, then, you will listen to me, you will preferably not deal in future with such base subjects, but if that cannot be, you will seek to speak of such things as will neither injure your own reputation, nor corrupt your imitators, nor bring the teaching of rhetoric into disrepute.
50
And do not be astonished if I, who am younger than you and unrelated to you, essay so lightly to admonish you; for, in my opinion, giving good counsel on such subjects is not the function of older men or of the most intimate friends, but of those who know most and desire most to render service.
