him to take them to task, and he prosecuted one of them for a crime which would have subjected him to a corporal punishment, or at least to a pecuniary mulct.  This fellow, who knew his case to be bad, and that he could not justify himself, employed all sorts of stratagems to get rid of Archedemus, who nevertheless would not quit his hold till the other had discharged Crito, and given him money besides, in name of trouble and charges.  He managed several of his affairs with like success, which made Crito be thought happy in having him; and as when a shepherd has an excellent dog, the other shepherds are glad to bring their flocks near his that they may be safe likewise, so several of Crito’s friends began to make their court to him, and begged him to lend them Archedemus to defend them.  He, for his part, was glad to oblige Crito; and it was observed at length that not only Crito lived undisturbed, but all his friends likewise; and if any one reproached Archedemus that self-interest had made him his master’s creature, and to adore him and be so faithful and zealous in his service he would answer him thus:—­“Which of the two do you think most dishonourable—­to do services to men of quality from whom we have received favours, and to enter into their friendship to declare war against bad men, or to endeavour to prejudice men of honour, and to make them our enemies, that bad men may be our friends?” From thenceforward Crito contracted a strict friendship with Archedemus, and all his friends had likewise a great respect for him.

CHAPTER X. SOCRATES ADVISES DIODORUS TO DO JUSTICE TO THE MERIT OF HERMOGENES, AND TO ACCEPT OF HIS SERVICE AND FRIENDSHIP.

Socrates, meeting one day with Diodorus, addressed him thus:—­“If one of your slaves ran away, would you give yourself any trouble to find him?” “Yes, certainly,” answered he; “and I would give public notice, and promise a reward to any that brought him to me.”  “And if one of them were sick, would you take care of him, and send for physicians to endeavour to save his life?” “Without doubt I would.”  “And if you saw,” replied Socrates, “one of your friends—­that is to say, a person who renders you a thousand times more service than a slave, reduced to extreme want—­ought you not to relieve him?  I speak this to you on account of Hermogenes.  You very well know he is not ungrateful, and that he would scorn to receive the least favour from you and not return you the like.  You know likewise that a great number of slaves are not to be valued like one man who serves willingly, who serves with zeal and affection, and who is not only capable of doing what he is desired, but who can likewise of himself think of many things that may be of service to us; who reasons well, who foresees what may happen, and from whom we may expect to receive good advice.  Now, the best managers hold it as a maxim that when we find anything of value to be sold cheap we ought to buy it.  Think of it, therefore, for as times now go you may procure yourself many friends at a cheap rate.”  “You say right,” replied Diodorus, “and therefore pray send Hermogenes to me.”  “Excuse me in that,” answered Socrates, “you would do as well to go to him yourself as to send for him.”