menexenus-第7节
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whose happiness rests with himself； if possible； wholly； and if not； as far
as is possible；who is not hanging in suspense on other men； or changing
with the vicissitude of their fortune；has his life ordered for the best。
He is the temperate and valiant and wise； and when his riches come and go；
when his children are given and taken away； he will remember the proverb
〃Neither rejoicing overmuch nor grieving overmuch；〃 for he relies upon
himself。 And such we would have our parents to bethat is our word and
wish； and as such we now offer ourselves； neither lamenting overmuch； nor
fearing overmuch； if we are to die at this time。 And we entreat our
fathers and mothers to retain these feelings throughout their future life；
and to be assured that they will not please us by sorrowing and lamenting
over us。 But； if the dead have any knowledge of the living； they will
displease us most by making themselves miserable and by taking their
misfortunes too much to heart； and they will please us best if they bear
their loss lightly and temperately。 For our life will have the noblest end
which is vouchsafed to man； and should be glorified rather than lamented。
And if they will direct their minds to the care and nurture of our wives
and children； they will soonest forget their misfortunes； and live in a
better and nobler way； and be dearer to us。
'This is all that we have to say to our families： and to the state we
would sayTake care of our parents and of our sons： let her worthily
cherish the old age of our parents； and bring up our sons in the right way。
But we know that she will of her own accord take care of them； and does not
need any exhortation of ours。'
This； O ye children and parents of the dead； is the message which they bid
us deliver to you； and which I do deliver with the utmost seriousness。 And
in their name I beseech you； the children； to imitate your fathers； and
you； parents； to be of good cheer about yourselves； for we will nourish
your age； and take care of you both publicly and privately in any place in
which one of us may meet one of you who are the parents of the dead。 And
the care of you which the city shows； you know yourselves； for she has made
provision by law concerning the parents and children of those who die in
war； the highest authority is specially entrusted with the duty of watching
over them above all other citizens； and they will see that your fathers and
mothers have no wrong done to them。 The city herself shares in the
education of the children； desiring as far as it is possible that their
orphanhood may not be felt by them； while they are children she is a parent
to them； and when they have arrived at man's estate she sends them to their
several duties； in full armour clad； and bringing freshly to their minds
the ways of their fathers； she places in their hands the instruments of
their fathers' virtues； for the sake of the omen； she would have them from
the first begin to rule over their own houses arrayed in the strength and
arms of their fathers。 And as for the dead； she never ceases honouring
them； celebrating in common for all rites which become the property of
each； and in addition to this； holding gymnastic and equestrian contests；
and musical festivals of every sort。 She is to the dead in the place of a
son and heir； and to their sons in the place of a father； and to their
parents and elder kindred in the place of a guardianever and always
caring for them。 Considering this； you ought to bear your calamity the
more gently； for thus you will be most endeared to the dead and to the
living； and your sorrows will heal and be healed。 And now do you and all；
having lamented the dead in common according to the law； go your ways。
You have heard； Menexenus； the oration of Aspasia the Milesian。
MENEXENUS： Truly； Socrates； I marvel that Aspasia； who is only a woman；
should be able to compose such a speech； she must be a rare one。
SOCRATES： Well； if you are incredulous； you may come with me and hear her。
MENEXENUS： I have often met Aspasia； Socrates； and know what she is like。
SOCRATES： Well； and do you not admire her； and are you not grateful for
her speech？
MENEXENUS： Yes； Socrates； I am very grateful to her or to him who told
you； and still more to you who have told me。
SOCRATES： Very good。 But you must take care not to tell of me； and then
at some future time I will repeat to you many other excellent political
speeches of hers。
MENEXENUS： Fear not； only let me hear them； and I will keep the secret。
SOCRATES： Then I will keep my promise。
End
