Book 2
12.10
And they are bashful, for as yet they fail to conceive of other things that are noble, but have been educated solely by convention.Social convention is the only law that they know, and they are ashamed if they violate it, because as yet they have no idea of higher laws which may command them to do so.
12.11
They are high-minded, for they have not yet been humbled by life nor have they experienced the force of necessity; further, there is high-mindedness in thinking oneself worthy of great things, a feeling which belongs to one who is full of hope.
12.12
In their actions, they prefer the noble to the useful; their life is guided by their characterἦθος in the widest sense, includes all that is habitual and characteristic; in a limited sense, it expresses the habitual temper or disposition (Twining). rather than by calculation, for the latter aims at the useful, virtue at the noble.
12.13
At this age more than any other they are fond of their friends and companions because they take pleasure in living in company and as yet judge nothing by expediency, not even their friends.
12.14
All their errors are due to excess and vehemence and their neglect of the maxim of Chilon,One of the Seven Wise Men of Greece. The maxim was Μηδὲν ἄγαν, Ne quid nimis, Never go to extremes. for they do everything to excess, love, hate, and everything else. And they think they know everything, and confidently affirm it, and this is the cause of their excess in everything.
12.15
If they do wrong, it is due to insolence, not to wickedness. And they are inclined to pity, because they think all men are virtuous and better than themselvesOr, better than they really are.; for they measure their neighbors by their own inoffensiveness, so that they think that they suffer undeservedly.
12.16
And they are fond of laughter, and therefore witty; for wit is cultured insolence. Such then is the character of the young.
