'True; but although I see the advantage of an army having a good general, I do not equally see the good of a feast being well managed.' If you mean to ask what good accrues to the state from the right training of a single youth or a single chorus, I should reply, 'Not much'; but if you ask what is the good of education in general, I answer, that education makes good men, and that good men act nobly and overcome their enemies in battle.

Victory is often suicidal to the victors, because it creates forgetfulness of education, but education itself is never suicidal.

'You imply that the regulation of convivial meetings is a part of education; how will you prove this ?' I will tell you.

But first let me offer a word of apology.

We Athenians are always thought to be fond of talking, whereas the Lacedaemonian is celebrated for brevity, and the Cretan is considered to be sagacious and reserved.