Laches | Page 6

is too often the way with the young, when
they are no longer children, but to begin at once and do the utmost that
we can for them. And knowing you to have sons of your own, we
thought that you were most likely to have attended to their training and
improvement, and, if perchance you have not attended to them, we may
remind you that you ought to have done so, and would invite you to
assist us in the fulfilment of a common duty. I will tell you, Nicias and
Laches, even at the risk of being tedious, how we came to think of this.
Melesias and I live together, and our sons live with us; and now, as I
was saying at first, we are going to confess to you. Both of us often talk
to the lads about the many noble deeds which our own fathers did in
war and peace--in the management of the allies, and in the
administration of the city; but neither of us has any deeds of his own
which he can show. The truth is that we are ashamed of this contrast
being seen by them, and we blame our fathers for letting us be spoiled
in the days of our youth, while they were occupied with the concerns of
others; and we urge all this upon the lads, pointing out to them that they
will not grow up to honour if they are rebellious and take no pains
about themselves; but that if they take pains they may, perhaps, become
worthy of the names which they bear. They, on their part, promise to
comply with our wishes; and our care is to discover what studies or
pursuits are likely to be most improving to them. Some one
commended to us the art of fighting in armour, which he thought an
excellent accomplishment for a young man to learn; and he praised the
man whose exhibition you have seen, and told us to go and see him.
And we determined that we would go, and get you to accompany us;
and we were intending at the same time, if you did not object, to take
counsel with you about the education of our sons. That is the matter
which we wanted to talk over with you; and we hope that you will give
us your opinion about this art of fighting in armour, and about any
other studies or pursuits which may or may not be desirable for a young
man to learn. Please to say whether you agree to our proposal.
NICIAS: As far as I am concerned, Lysimachus and Melesias, I
applaud your purpose, and will gladly assist you; and I believe that you,
Laches, will be equally glad.

LACHES: Certainly, Nicias; and I quite approve of the remark which
Lysimachus made about his own father and the father of Melesias, and
which is applicable, not only to them, but to us, and to every one who is
occupied with public affairs. As he says, such persons are too apt to be
negligent and careless of their own children and their private concerns.
There is much truth in that remark of yours, Lysimachus. But why,
instead of consulting us, do you not consult our friend Socrates about
the education of the youths? He is of the same deme with you, and is
always passing his time in places where the youth have any noble study
or pursuit, such as you are enquiring after.
LYSIMACHUS: Why, Laches, has Socrates ever attended to matters of
this sort?
LACHES: Certainly, Lysimachus.
NICIAS: That I have the means of knowing as well as Laches; for quite
lately he supplied me with a teacher of music for my sons,--Damon, the
disciple of Agathocles, who is a most accomplished man in every way,
as well as a musician, and a companion of inestimable value for young
men at their age.
LYSIMACHUS: Those who have reached my time of life, Socrates and
Nicias and Laches, fall out of acquaintance with the young, because
they are generally detained at home by old age; but you, O son of
Sophroniscus, should let your fellow demesman have the benefit of any
advice which you are able to give. Moreover I have a claim upon you
as an old friend of your father; for I and he were always companions
and friends, and to the hour of his death there never was a difference
between us; and now it comes back to me, at the mention of your name,
that I have heard these lads talking to one another at home, and often
speaking of Socrates in terms of the highest praise; but I have never
thought to ask them whether the son of Sophroniscus was the person
whom they meant.