§1.35.1ἐν ᾧ καιρῷ πολλά τις ἂν ὀρθῶς ἐπισημαινόμενος εὕροι πρὸς ἐπανόρθωσιν τοῦ τῶν ἀνθρώπων βίου συντελεσθέντα.
At this juncture, if one pays proper attention, one would find many things that have occurred to contribute to the correction of human life. At this juncture, if one pays proper attention, one would find many things that have occurred to contribute to the correction of human life.
§1.35.2καὶ γὰρ τὸ διαπιστεῖν τῇ τύχῃ, καὶ μάλιστα κατὰ τὰς εὐπραγίας, ἐναργέστατον ἐφάνη πᾶσιν τότε διὰ τῶν Μάρκου συμπτωμάτων·
For the need to distrust fortune, and especially during times of prosperity, was then demonstrated most clearly to all through the misfortunes of Marcus.
§1.35.3ὁ γὰρ μικρῷ πρότερον οὐ διδοὺς ἔλεον οὐδὲ συγγνώμην τοῖς πταίουσιν παρὰ πόδας αὐτὸς ἤγετο δεησόμενος τούτων περὶ τῆς ἑαυτοῦ σωτηρίας.
For he who a little before had granted neither mercy nor pardon to those who stumbled, was himself immediately led away to beg them for his own safety. For he who a little before had granted neither mercy nor pardon to those who stumbled, was himself immediately led away to beg them for his own safety.
§1.35.4καὶ μὴν τὸ παρʼ Εὐριπίδῃ πάλαι καλῶς εἰρῆσθαι δοκοῦν ὡς ἓν σοφὸν βούλευμα τὰς πολλὰς χεῖρας νικᾷ τότε διʼ αὐτῶν τῶν ἔργων ἔλαβε τὴν πίστιν.
And indeed, the saying of Euripides, long since thought to have been beautifully expressed, that 'one wise counsel overcomes many hands,' then received its confirmation through the facts themselves. And indeed, the saying of Euripides, long since thought to have been beautifully expressed, that 'one wise counsel overcomes many hands,' then received its confirmation through the facts themselves.
§1.35.5εἷς γὰρ ἄνθρωπος καὶ μία γνώμη τὰ μὲν ἀήττητα πλήθη καὶ πραγματικὰ δοκοῦντʼ εἶναι καθεῖλεν, τὸ δὲ προφανῶς πεπτωκὸς ἄρδην πολίτευμα καὶ τὰς ἀπηλγηκυίας ψυχὰς τῶν δυνάμεων ἐπὶ τὸ κρεῖττον ἤγαγεν.
For one man and one mind brought down those multitudes which seemed invincible and efficient in action, while they raised to a better state a commonwealth that had visibly collapsed utterly and the despondent spirits of its forces. For one man and one mind brought down those multitudes which seemed invincible and efficient in action, while they raised to a better state a commonwealth that had visibly collapsed utterly and the despondent spirits of its forces.
§1.35.6ἐγὼ δὲ τούτων ἐπεμνήσθην χάριν τῆς τῶν ἐντυγχανόντων τοῖς ὑπομνήμασι διορθώσεως.
I have made mention of these things for the sake of the improvement of those who read these memoirs. I have made mention of these things for the sake of the improvement of those who read these memoirs.
§1.35.7δυεῖν γὰρ ὄντων τρόπων πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις τῆς ἐπὶ τὸ βέλτιον μεταθέσεως, τοῦ τε διὰ τῶν ἰδίων συμπτωμάτων καὶ τοῦ διὰ τῶν ἀλλοτρίων, ἐναργέστερον μὲν εἶναι συμβαίνει τὸν διὰ τῶν οἰκείων περιπετειῶν, ἀβλαβέστερον δὲ τὸν διὰ τῶν ἀλλοτρίων. διὸ τὸν μὲν οὐδέποθʼ ἑκουσίως αἱρετέον, §1.35.8ἐπεὶ μετὰ μεγάλων πόνων καὶ κινδύνων ποιεῖ τὴν διόρθωσιν, τὸν δʼ ἀεὶ θηρευτέον, ἐπεὶ χωρὶς βλάβης ἔστιν συνιδεῖν ἐν αὐτῷ τὸ βέλτιον.
For, as there are two ways for all men to change for the better, either through their own misfortunes or through those of others, it happens that the way through one's own reverses is more vivid, but the way through those of others is less harmful; wherefore the former is never to be chosen voluntarily, since it works correction with great pains and dangers, while the latter is always to be pursued, since one can discern what is better in it without harm.
§1.35.9ἐξ ὧν συνιδόντι καλλίστην παιδείαν ἡγητέον πρὸς ἀληθινὸν βίον τὴν ἐκ τῆς πραγματικῆς ἱστορίας περιγινομένην ἐμπειρίαν· §1.35.10μόνη γὰρ αὕτη χωρὶς βλάβης ἐπὶ παντὸς καιροῦ καὶ περιστάσεως κριτὰς ἀληθινοὺς ἀποτελεῖ τοῦ βελτίονος.
From which it must be held by one who understands this, that the experience gained from actual history is the finest training for a true life; for this alone, without harm, at every time and circumstance, makes true judges of what is better.
ταῦτα μὲν οὖν ἡμῖν ἐπὶ τοσοῦτον εἰρήσθω.
Let this much, then, be said by us.