6 Plutarch’s Lives
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lose with Chabrias’s life, but after his decease he carefullymaintained it to all that were related to him, and chiefly tohis son, Ctesippus, whom he laboured to bring to some good,and although he was a stupid and intractable young fellow,always endeavoured, so far ds in him lay, to correct and coverhis faults and follies. Once, however, when the youngster wasvery impertinent and troublesome to him in the camp, interrupt-ing him with idle questions, and putting forward his opinions andsuggestions of how the war should be conducted, he could notforbear exclaiming, ‘‘ O Chabrias, Chabrias, how grateful I showmyself for your friendship, in submitting to endure your son!” Upon looking into public matters, and the way in which theywere now conducted, he observed that the administration ofaffairs was cut and parcelled out, like so much land by allotment,between the military men and the public speakers, so that neitherthese nor those should interfere with the claims of the others.As the one were to address the assemblies, to draw up votes andprepare motions, men, for example, like Eubulus, Aristophon,Demosthenes, Lycurgus, and Hyperides, and were to push theirinterests here; so, im the meantime, Diopithes, Menestheus,Leosthenes, and Chares were to make their profit by war andin military commands. Phocion, on the other hand, was desirousto restore and carry out the old system, more complete in itself,and more harmonious and uniform, which prevailed in the timesof Pericles, Aristides, and Solon; when statesmen showed them-selves, to use Archilochus’s words-— “ Mars’ and the Muses’ friends alike designed,To arts and arms indifferently inclined.” and the presiding goddess of his country was, he did not fail to’see, the patroness and protectress of both civil and militarywisdom. With these views, while his advice at home was alwaysfor peace and quietness, he nevertheless held the office of generalmore frequently than any of the statesmen, not only of his own’times, but of those preceding, never, indeed, promoting or en-.couraging military expeditions, yet never, on the other hand,shunning or declining, when he was called upon by the public.voice. Thus much is well known, that he was no less than forty- five several times chosen general, he being never on any one ofthose occasions present at the election, but having the command, in his absence, by common suffrage, conferred on him, and he sent for on purpose to undertake it. Insomuch that it amazed those who did not well consider to see the people always prefer _Phocion rae _ Phocion, who was so far from humouring them or courting their LES ary Vary vee ee favour, that he always thwarted and opposed them. But so itwas, as great men and princes are said to call in their flattererswhen dinner has been served, so the Athenians, upon slightoccasions, entertained and diverted themselves with their sprucespeakers and trim orators, but when it came to action, theywere sober and considerate enough to single out the austerest and wisest for public employment, however much he might be - opposed to their wishes and sentiments. This, indeed, he madeno scruple to admit, when the oracle from Delphi was read,which informed them that the Athenians were all of one mind, _ a single dissentient only excepted, frankly coming forward anddeclaring that they need look no further; he was the man; there was no one but he who was dissatisfied with everythingthey did. And when once he gave his opinion to the people, andwas met with the general approbation and applause of theassembly, turning to some of his friends, he asked them, “‘ HaveI inadvertently said something foolish? ”’ Upon occasion of a public festivity, being solicited for his - contribution by the example of others, and the people pressing him much, he bade them apply themselves to the wealthy; for ' his part he should blush to make a present here, rather than a yews oe repayment there, turning and pointing to Callicles, the money-lender. Being still clamoured upon and importuned, he told - them this tale. A certain cowardly fellow setting out for the wars, hearing the ravens croak in his passage, threw down hisarms, resolving to wait. Presently he took them and venturedout again, but hearing the same music,.once more made a stop.“ For,” said he, “ you may croak till you are tired, but you shallmake no dinner upon me.” The Athenians urging him at an unseasonable time to lead ~ them out against the enemy, he peremptorily refused, and being upbraided by them with cowardice and pusillanimity, he toldthem, “ Just now, do what you will, I shall not be brave; anddo what I will, you will not be cowards. Nevertheless, we knowwell enough what we are.” And when again, in a time of great _ danger, the people were very harsh upon him, demanding a strict account how the public money had been employed, and the like,he bade them, “‘ First, good friends, make sure you are safe.”After a war, during which they had been very tractable andtimorous, when, upon peace being made, they began again to beconfident and overbearing, and to cry out upon Phocion, ashaving lost them the honour of victory, to all their clamour he
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