ON COMMUNITY OF STUDIES

From ‘The Politics,’ Book 8

No one, therefore, can doubt that the legislator ought principally to attend to the education of youth.  For in cities where this is neglected, the politics are injured.  For every State ought to be governed according to its nature; since the appropriate manners of each polity usually preserve the polity, and establish it from the beginning.  Thus, appropriate democratic manners preserve and establish a democracy, and oligarchic an oligarchy.  Always, however, the best manners are the cause of the best polity.  Further still, in all professions and arts, there are some things which ought previously to be learnt, and to which it is requisite to be previously accustomed, in order to the performance of their several works,; so that it is evident that it is also necessary in the practice of virtue.

Since, however, there is one purpose to every city, it is evident that the education must necessarily be one and the same in all cities; and that the attention paid to this should be common.  At the same time, also, no one ought to think that any person takes care of the education of his children separately, and privately teaches them that particular discipline which appears to him to be proper.  But it is necessary that the studies of the public should be common.  At the same time, also, no one ought to think that any citizen belongs to him in particular, but that all the citizens belong to the city; for each individual is a part of the city.  The care and attention, however, which are paid to each of the parts, naturally look to the care and attention of the whole.  And for this, some one may praise the Lacedaemonians; for they pay very great attention to their children, and this in common.  It is evident, therefore, that laws should be established concerning education, and that it should be made common.

HYMN TO VIRTUE

Virtue, to men thou bringest care and toil;
Yet art thou life’s best, fairest spoil! 
O virgin goddess, for thy beauty’s sake
To die is delicate in this our Greece,
Or to endure of pain the stern strong ache. 
Such fruit for our soul’s ease
Of joys undying, dearer far than gold
Or home or soft-eyed sleep, dost thou unfold! 
It was for thee the seed of Zeus,
Stout Herakles, and Leda’s twins, did choose
Strength-draining deeds, to spread abroad thy name: 
Smit with the love of thee
Aias and Achilleus went smilingly
Down to Death’s portal, crowned with deathless fame. 
Now, since thou art so fair,
Leaving the lightsome air. 
Atarneus’ hero hath died gloriously. 
Wherefore immortal praise shall be his guerdon: 
His goodness and his deeds are made the burden
Of songs divine
Sung by Memory’s daughters nine,
Hymning of hospitable Zeus the might
And friendship firm as fate in fate’s despite.

Translation of J. A. Symonds.