BOOK V
conscious of it, but is like the vine that has borne a cluster of grapes, and when it has once borne its due fruit looks for no reward beyond,[1] as it is with a steed when it has run its course, a hound when it has singled out the trail, a bee when she hath made her comb. And so a man when he hath done one thing well, does not cry it abroad, but betakes himself to a second,[2] as a vine to bear afresh her clusters in due season.
A man then must be of those who act thus as it were unconsciously? Aye. But surely he must be conscious of what he is doing, for it is, we are told, the peculiar attribute of the man of true social instincts to be aware that he puts such instincts into practice,[3] and by heaven to wish that his fellow should be aware of it too. True; but thou misconceivest the present argument, and wilt consequently be of the number of those whom I mentioned before; for in fact they are led astray by reasoning which has a plausible look. But if thou thinkest it worth while to understand what has been said, fear not that thou wilt be led thereby to neglect any social act.
7. A prayer of the Athenians: Rain, Rain, O dear Zeus, upon the corn-land of the Athenians[4] and their meads. Either pray not at all, or in this simple and frank fashion.
8. We have all heard, Aesculapius has prescribed for so and so riding exercise, or cold baths,[5] or walking barefoot. Precisely so it may be said that the Universal Nature has prescribed for so and so sickness or
- ↑ vii. 73; ix. 42, § 4. cp. Fronto, de Nep. 2 ad fin.
- ↑ xi. 4; xii. 29.
- ↑ e.g. a man who acts on the precept, "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth," must act so designedly.
- ↑ cp. Pausan. i. 24, § 3.
- ↑ See the amazing story of an icy bathe prescribed so to Aristides (Sacr. Serm. ii. 529, Jebb ff.).
