Only, some will say, we have not the necessary skill.

No, of course not, and none of those who have it now had it either before they learnt to get it.

Ah, you object, but they learnt when they were boys.

[11] Maybe; but are boys more capable of learning what they are taught then grown men?
Which are the better at heavy physical tasks, boys or men?
[12] Besides, we, of all pupils, have advantages that neither boys nor other men possess: we have not to be taught the use of the bow as boys have, we are skilled in that already; nor yet the use of the javelin, we are versed in that; our time has not been taken up like other men's with toiling on the land or labouring at some craft or managing household matters; we have not only had leisure for war, it has been our life.

[13] Moreover, one cannot say of riding as of so many warlike exercises that it is useful but disagreeable.