To the Children of Jason

​I have said these things beforehand for this reason, because the first point to be introduced is one of those that are commonplace. For I am accustomed to say to those who spend their time in our philosophy that this must be considered first, what is to be accomplished by the discourse and by the parts of the discourse; and when we have found this and defined it precisely, I say that we must seek the forms through which these results will be worked out and achieve the end which we proposed. And although I say these things in reference to discourses, this is a basic element also for all other things and for your affairs. For nothing can be done in a rational manner unless you first, with much foresight, calculate and deliberate on this: how you ought to conduct yourselves for the remaining time, what kind of life you should choose, what sort of reputation you should strive for, and which of the two honors you should love, those that come from willing citizens or those from unwilling ones. Having determined these things, only then must you examine your daily actions, to see how they will contribute toward the plans made from the beginning. And if you seek and study in this way, you will aim with your soul as if a target were set before you, and you will be more likely to hit upon what is advantageous. But if you make no such plan, and attempt to do whatever happens to present itself, you must of necessity wander in your thoughts and fail in many of your undertakings. Perhaps, then, one of those who have chosen to live at random might attempt to ridicule such calculations, and might demand that I should now advise you about the matters mentioned before. I must not, therefore, hesitate to declare my thoughts on these things. For to me, the life of private citizens seems more desirable and better than that of tyrants, and I consider the honors in free states more pleasant than those in monarchies; and I will attempt to speak about these things. And yet, it does not escape me that I shall have many opponents, especially those who are around you. For I think that these men in particular urge you to tyranny; for they do not look at the nature of the matter from every side, but deceive themselves in many ways. For they see the powers, the gains, and the pleasures, and expect to enjoy them, but they do not consider the disturbances, the fears, and the disasters that befall rulers and their friends, but they have experienced what those who attempt the most shameful and unlawful deeds experience. For even those men are not ignorant of the wickedness of their actions, but they hope that whatever is good in them they will obtain, while they will escape all the dangers and the evils associated with the matter, and that they will manage their own affairs in such a way as to be far from the dangers but near to the benefits. Those, then, who have this mind I envy for their easy-going attitude, but I myself should be ashamed if, while advising others, I should neglect their interests and pursue my own, and if I did not, putting myself entirely aside from benefits and all other things, recommend the best course. Since, therefore, I hold this opinion, so give me your attention.