6
I wish, therefore, to preface my discussion with a word about myself and about those who have this attitude towards me, in order that, if only it lies within my power to do so, I may put an end to the abuse of my calumniators and give to the public a clear understanding of the work to which I am devoted. For if I succeed in setting forth a true picture of this in my discourse, I hope not only that I myself may pass the rest of my days free from annoyance but that my present audience will give better attention to the discourse which is about to be delivered.
7
I am not going to hesitate to tell you frankly of the confusion which now comes into my thoughts, of the strangeness of my feelings on the present occasion, and of my perplexity as to whether I am doing anything to the purpose. For I have had my share of the greatest goods of life—the things which all men would pray the gods to have as their portion:For the “greatest goods” cf. Plat. Laws 631c; Aristot. Rh. 1.5; and Herrick’s rendering of the famous Greek skolion: “Health is the first good lent to men;/A gentle disposition then;/Next, to be rich by no by-wayes;/Lastly, with friends t’enjoy our dayes.” first of all, I have enjoyed health both of body and of soul, not in common degree, but in equal measure with those who have been most blessed in these respects;Cf. Bacchyl. 1.27 ff. (Bacchyl. 1.55 ff., Jebb’s edition): εἰ δ′ ὑγιείγας θνατὸς ἐὼν ἔλαχεν, ζώειν τ′ ἀπ′ οἰκείων ἔχει, πρώτοις ἐρίζει. secondly, I have been in comfortable circumstances, so that I have not lacked for any of the moderate satisfactions nor for those that a sensible man would desire;