[4]
Indeed, so far as perfume is concerned, when once a man has anointed himself with it, the scent forthwith is all one whether he be slave or free; but the odours that result from the exertions of freemen demand primarily noble pursuits engaged in for many years if they are to be sweet and suggestive of freedom.”“That may do for young fellows,” observed Lycon; “but what of us who no longer exercise in the gymnasia? What should be our distinguishing scent?”“Nobility of soul, surely!” replied Socrates.“And where may a person get this ointment?”“Certainly not from the perfumers,” said Socrates.“But where, then?”“Theognis has said:1‘Good men teach good; society with badWill but corrupt the good mind that you had.’”
Xenophon. Xenophon in Seven Volumes, 4. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA; William Heinemann, Ltd., London. 1979.
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