§7.1336aπερὶ δὲ τὸν χρόνον τὸν τῆς τεκνοποιίας ἐάν τις φαίνηται τοιοῦτόν τι δρῶν, ἀτιμίᾳ ζημιούσθω πρεπούσῃ πρὸς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν.
But concerning the period of child-begetting, if anyone appears doing any such thing, let him be punished with a loss of civil rights fitting for the offense.
γενομένων δὲ τῶν τέκνων οἴεσθαι δεῖ μεγάλην εἶναι διαφορὰν πρὸς τὴν τῶν σωμάτων δύναμιν τὴν τροφήν, ὁποία τις ἂν ᾖ.
Once the children are born, one must think that the nourishment, of whatever sort it may be, makes a great difference for the strength of their bodies.
φαίνεται δὲ διά τε τῶν ἄλλων ζῴων ἐπισκοποῦσι, καὶ διὰ τῶν ἐθνῶν οἷς ἐπιμελές ἐστιν ἄγειν εἰς τὴν πολεμικὴν ἕξιν, ἡ τοῦ γάλακτος πλήθουσα τροφὴ μάλιστʼ οἰκεία τοῖς σώμασιν, ἡ ἀοινοτέρα δὲ διὰ τὰ νοσήματα.
It is clear both from examining other animals and from the nations to whom it is a care to lead them into a warlike condition, that a nourishment abounding in milk is most suitable for their bodies, and one freer from wine on account of diseases.
ἔτι δὲ καὶ κινήσεις ὅσας ἐνδέχεται ποιεῖσθαι τηλικούτων συμφέρει.
Furthermore, it is beneficial to make as many movements as possible for those of such an age.
πρὸς δὲ τὸ μὴ διαστρέφεσθαι τὰ μέλη διʼ ἁπαλότητα χρῶνται καὶ νῦν ἔνια τῶν ἐθνῶν ὀργάνοις τισὶ μηχανικοῖς, ἃ τὸ σῶμα ποιεῖ τῶν τοιούτων ἀστραβές.
In order that their limbs may not be distorted due to tenderness, some of the nations even now use certain mechanical instruments which make the body of such children straight.
συμφέρει δʼ εὐθὺς καὶ πρὸς τὰ ψύχη συνεθίζειν ἐκ μικρῶν παίδων· τοῦτο γὰρ καὶ πρὸς ὑγίειαν καὶ πρὸς πολεμικὰς πράξεις εὐχρηστότατον.
And it is beneficial to accustom them straightway from young children even to cold; for this is most useful both for health and for warlike actions.
διὸ παρὰ πολλοῖς ἐστι τῶν βαρβάρων ἔθος τοῖς μὲν εἰς ποταμὸν ἀποβάπτειν τὰ γιγνόμενα ψυχρόν, τοῖς δὲ σκέπασμα μικρὸν ἀμπίσχειν, οἷον Κελτοῖς.
Therefore, among many of the barbarians it is a custom for some to plunge those who are born into a cold river, and for others to wrap them in a light covering, such as the Celts.
πάντα γὰρ ὅσα δυνατὸν εὐθὺς ἀρχομένων βέλτιον ἐθίζειν μέν, ἐκ προσαγωγῆς δʼ ἐθίζειν· εὐφυὴς δʼ ἡ τῶν παίδων ἕξις διὰ θερμότητα πρὸς τὴν τῶν ψυχρῶν ἄσκησιν.
For it is better to accustom them to all things that are possible straightway at the beginning, but to accustom them by degrees; and the condition of children is naturally well-suited on account of warmth for training against cold.
περὶ μὲν οὖν τὴν πρώτην συμφέρει ποιεῖσθαι τὴν ἐπιμέλειαν τοιαύτην τε καὶ τὴν ταύτῃ παραπλησίαν· τὴν δʼ ἐχομένην ταύτης ἡλικίαν μέχρι πέντε ἐτῶν, ἣν οὔτε πω πρὸς μάθησιν καλῶς ἔχει προσάγειν οὐδεμίαν οὔτε πρὸς ἀναγκαίους πόνους, ὅπως μὴ τὴν αὔξησιν ἐμποδίζωσιν, δεῖ τοσαύτης τυγχάνειν κινήσεως ὥστε διαφεύγειν τὴν ἀργίαν τῶν σωμάτων· ἣν χρὴ παρασκευάζειν καὶ διʼ ἄλλων πράξεων καὶ διὰ τῆς παιδιᾶς.
Concerning the first age, therefore, it is beneficial to make the care of such a kind and similar to this; and for the age following this up to five years, which it is not yet well to bring to any learning nor to compulsory labors, lest they hinder growth, they must obtain so much movement as to escape the idleness of their bodies; which must be provided both through other actions and through play.
δεῖ δὲ καὶ τὰς παιδιὰς εἶναι μήτε ἀνελευθέρους μήτε ἐπιπόνους μήτε ἀνειμένας.
And the plays must be neither unfree, nor laborious, nor relaxed.
καὶ περὶ λόγων δὲ καὶ μύθων, ποίους τινὰς ἀκούειν δεῖ τοὺς τηλικούτους, ἐπιμελὲς ἔστω τοῖς ἄρχουσιν οὓς καλοῦσι παιδονόμους.
And concerning stories and myths, what kind of ones those of such an age ought to hear, let it be a care to the officials whom they call supervisors of children.
πάντα γὰρ δεῖ τὰ τοιαῦτα προοδοποιεῖν πρὸς τὰς ὕστερον διατριβάς· διὸ τὰς παιδιὰς εἶναι δεῖ τὰς πολλὰς μιμήσεις τῶν ὕστερον σπουδαζομένων.
For all such things ought to pave the way for their later occupations; therefore, most of their plays should be imitations of the things later studied in earnest.
τὰς δὲ διατάσεις τῶν παίδων καὶ κλαυθμοὺς οὐκ ὀρθῶς ἀπαγορεύουσιν οἱ κωλύοντες ἐν τοῖς νόμοις· συμφέρουσι γὰρ πρὸς αὔξησιν· γίγνεται γὰρ τρόπον τινὰ γυμνασία τοῖς σώμασιν· ἡ γὰρ τοῦ πνεύματος κάθεξις ποιεῖ τὴν ἰσχὺν τοῖς πονοῦσιν, ὃ συμβαίνει καὶ τοῖς παιδίοις διατεινομένοις.
And the straining and crying of children are not rightly forbidden by those who prevent them in the laws; for they are beneficial for growth; for in a way it becomes an exercise for their bodies; for the retention of breath gives strength to those who labor, which also happens to children when they strain themselves.
ἐπισκεπτέον δὲ τοῖς παιδονόμοις τὴν τούτων διαγωγήν, τήν τʼ ἄλλην καὶ ὅπως ὅτι ἥκιστα μετὰ δούλων ἔσται.
And the supervisors of children must inspect their way of life, both in general and so that it shall be as little as possible with slaves.
ταύτην γὰρ τὴν ἡλικίαν,
For this age,