§1## α′. Φιλίππῳ.
## α′. Φιλίππῳ.
Οἱ τὰς ἡγεμονίας ἀναλαμβάνοντες πρὸς εὐεργεσίαν τῶν ἀρχομένων οὐχ ὑπὸ τῆς τύχῃς ἀλλ’ οὐδ’ ὑπὸ τῆς φύσεως προηγμένοι τὰς ἀρχὰς ἐμπιστεύονται, αἳ μεταπίπτειν εἰώθασιν, ἀλλ’ ἐπὶ ταῖς ἀρεταῖς μέγα φρονοῦσιν εὖ καὶ σφόδρα σοφῶς πολιτευόμενοι.
Those who assume leadership for the benefit of the ruled, being led neither by fortune nor even by nature, are entrusted with offices—which are accustomed to change—but pride themselves on their virtues, governing well and very wisely.
οὐδὲν γὰρ τῶν ἐν ἀνθρώποις βέβαιον, καὶ ἐχυρὸν οὐδὲν ὃ μέχρι τῆς ἑσπέρας ἥλιος τραχείᾳ ῤοπῇ συναλλοιοῖ καὶ μεταφέρει.
For nothing among human affairs is secure, and nothing is stable, which the sun, before evening, with a harsh turn alters and sweeps away.
ποικίλλουσα τοὺς βίους ἅπαντας καθάπερ τραγῳδίας ὑποκρίσει τοῖς ἡμετέροις κακοῖς ἡ τύχη μετασκευάζει, εἴπερ μὴ διεψεύσμεθα τῆς ἀληθείας ὅτι τὸν αὐτὸν τρόπον ὅνπερ τῶν ἐκ γῆς φυομένων ἕκαστα, καὶ τοὺς ἄνδρας ἀνθεῖν ποτὲ συμβαίνει καὶ τὰς ἀκμὰς ἐν χρόνοις τισὶν ἀναλαμβανομένους πολὺ τῶν ἄλλων διαφέρειν.
Fortune, variegating all lives just like the acting of a tragedy, transforms them by our misfortunes, if indeed we are not deceived about the truth that, in the very same way as each of the things growing from the earth, it also happens that men flourish at some time and, attaining their prime at certain times, differ greatly from others.
διὸ πειρῶ μήτε τῆς Ἑλλάδος τυραννικώτερον προΐστασθαι μήτε τοῖς ῥήμασι σοβαρώτερον· τὸ μὲν γὰρ προπετείας ἐστὶ σημεῖον, τὸ δὲ ὁμολογουμένης ἀβουλίας τεκμήριον.
Therefore, strive neither to rule Greece in too tyrannical a manner, nor to be too arrogant in your words; for the former is a sign of rashness, and the latter is proof of acknowledged thoughtlessness.
δεῖ γὰρ τοὺς νοῦν ἔχοντας τῶν δυναστευόντων μὴ διὰ τὰς ἀρχὰς ἀλλὰ διὰ τῶν ἀρχῶν θαυμάζεσθαι, ἵνα τῆς τύχης μεταπεσούσης τῶν αὐτῶν ἐγκωμίων ἀξιῶνται.
For those among rulers who have sense must be admired not because of their offices, but through their offices, so that when fortune shifts they may be deemed worthy of the same praises.
τὰ δ’ ἄλλα εὖ πρᾶττε, ψυχὴν πρὸς φιλοσοφίαν σῶμα δὲ πρὸς ὑγίειαν ἄγων, καὶ ** ἐπιμελούμενος.
In other matters fare well, guiding your soul toward philosophy and your body toward health, and taking care of **.
§2## β′. Ἀλεξάνδρῳ.
## β′. Ἀλεξάνδρῳ.
Ἀπορῶ τίνων ἢ ποίων ἀρχή με λάβῃ πρός σε ἐφ’ ἃ γὰρ ἂν ἐπισκοπῶν ἐπιβάλω τὴν διάνοιαν, πάντα μοι φαίνεται μεγάλα καὶ θαυμαστά, καὶ λήθης οὐδὲν ἄξιον ὁρῶ, μνήμης δὲ οἰκεῖα καὶ προτρέψεως.
I am at a loss as to from what things or what kind of beginning I should take to address you; for to whatever things I cast my mind to examine, they all appear to me great and wonderful, and I see nothing worthy of oblivion, but things proper for remembrance and exhortation.
ὧν οὐδὲν οὐδεὶς ἀμαυρώσει χρόνος· αἱ γὰρ καλαὶ τῶν διδασκάλων παραινέσεις καὶ προτρέψεις θεατὴν ἔχουσι τὸν αἰῶνα.
Of which things, no time will obscure any; for the noble counsels and exhortations of teachers have eternity as their spectator.
διὸ πειρῶ τὴν ἀρχὴν μὴ εἰς ὕβριν ἀλλ’ εἰς εὐεργεσίαν κατατίθεσθαι, ἧς οὐδὲν μεῖζον τῶν ἐν βίῳ ὑπάρχειν πέφυκε.
Therefore, strive to employ your rule not for insolence but for beneficence, than which nothing greater exists by nature among the things in life.
διὸ καὶ τὸ θνητὸν τῆς φύσεως πολλάκις ὑπὸ τοῦ χρεὼν διαλυόμενον ἄφθαρτον διὰ τὸ μέγεθος τῶν ἔργων κέκτηται τὴν μνήμην.
Therefore, even the mortal part of nature, though often dissolved by fate, possesses an imperishable memory because of the greatness of deeds.
τούτων οὖν τὴν ἔννοιαν ἔχε· οὐ γὰρ ἀλόγως ἠνέχθης ὡς ἔνιοι, οἳ ἀτόπως καὶ τὰς γνώμας διετέθησαν.
Therefore, keep these things in mind; for you were not brought forward without reason like some, who are foolishly disposed in their minds as well.
σοὶ καὶ γένος ἔντιμον καὶ βασιλεία πατρῷος καὶ παιδεία βέβαιος καὶ δόξα περίβλεπτος, καὶ ὅσον ταῖς ἀφορμαῖς τῆς τύχης διαφέρεις, τοσοῦτον καὶ ταῖς ἀρεταῖς τῶνκαλῶν πρωτεύειν σε δεῖ, τὰ δ’ ἄλλα πρᾶττε μὲν τὰ συμφέροντα, ἐπιτέλει δὲ τὰ δόξαντα.
You have both an honorable lineage, a paternal kingdom, a secure education, and conspicuous glory; and by as much as you excel in the resources of fortune, by so much also you must excel in the virtues of noble things; as for the rest, do what is advantageous, and accomplish what has been decided.
§3## γ′. Φιλίππῳ.
## γ′. Φιλίππῳ.
Οἱ πολλοὶ τῶν φιλοσόφων τὴν εὐεργεσίαν θεῷ ἰσόμοιρον παρεσκεύασαν· ὡς γὰρ ἁπλῶς εἰπεῖν χάριτος δόσις καὶ ἀμοιβὴ συνέχει τοὺς τῶν ἀνθρώπων βίους, τῶν μὲν διδόντων, τῶν δὲ λαμβανόντων, τῶν δ’ αὖ πάλιν ἀνταποδιδόντων.
Many of the philosophers have made beneficence equal in share to God; for to speak simply, the giving of favor and the recompense hold together the lives of men, with some giving, others receiving, and others again giving back in return.
διὸ καλὸν καὶ δίκαιόν ἐστι πάντας μὲν τοὺς ἀναξίως ἀτυχοῦντας ἐλεεῖν· οἶκτος μὲν γὰρ ἡμέρου ψυχῆς ἐστὶ σημεῖον, χαλεπότης δὲ ἀπαιδεύτου· αἰσχρὸν γὰρ καὶ σχέτλιον ἀρετὴν ἀτυχοῦσαν περιορᾶν.
Therefore, it is noble and just to pity all those who suffer misfortune undeservedly; for pity is a sign of a gentle soul, but harshness of an uneducated one; for it is shameful and cruel to overlook virtue suffering misfortune.
ὅθεν ἐπαινῶ καὶ τὸν ἡμέτερον γνώριμον Θεόφραστον λέγοντα τὴν χάριν ἀμεταμέλητον εἶναι καὶ καλὸν καρπὸν φέρειν τὸν παρὰ τῶν εὖ παθόντων ἔπαινον.
Hence I also praise our acquaintance Theophrastus, who says that favor is without regret and that praise from those who have been treated well bears beautiful fruit.
διόπερ δεῖ τοὺς νοῦν ἔχοντας τῶν ἀνθρώπων εἰς πολλοὺς αὐτὴν κατατίθεσθαι, νομίζοντας χωρὶς τῆς εὐφημίας ἔρανόν τινα τοῦτον αὐτοῖς ὑπάρξειν ἐν ταῖς μεταβολαῖς τῶν πραγμάτων, καὶ εἴγε μὴ πάντας, ἀλλ’ ἕνα τινὰ τῶν εὐεργετηθέντων ἀποδώσειν τὴν χάριν.
Therefore, those among men who have sense must deposit it among many, thinking that, apart from a good reputation, this will be a sort of mutual contribution for them in the changes of fortunes, and that even if not all, at least someone of those who have been benefited will return the favor.
ὅθεν πειρῶ πρόθυμος μὲν εἶναι ταῖς εὐεργεσίαις, ἔποχος δὲ τοῖς θυμοῖς· τὸ μὲν γὰρ βασιλικόν τε καὶ ἥμερον, τὸ δὲ βάρβαρόν τε καὶ στυγητόν.
Hence, strive to be eager in doing favors, but restrained in your angers; for the former is kingly and gentle, while the latter is barbarian and hateful.
τὰ δ’ ἄλλα καθὼς ἂν δοκιμάζῃς πρᾶττε μὴ παρορῶν τὰς λυσιτελεῖς ψήφους.
As for the rest, do as you may approve, not overlooking profitable choices.